Dive summary:
- Australian researchers have assembled a preliminary version of a system that will use embedded or attached transducers to send waves through materials and tell from their behavior if there are internal problems with the material, and the scientists say they plan on being able to report the size and shape of defects along with the location they can know now.
- Steel used in bridges and other construction is one of the materials that are the focus of Dr Alex Ng's team at the University of Adelaide. Fiber-composite laminates are a big target.
- Ng characterizes the system as "talking" to structures and listening while they report any aches or pains, like people do when getting a checkup at their doctor's office.
From the article:
"The collapse in 2007 of the Minneapolis bridge in the U.S. raised questions about inspection as well as design. Visual inspection is not enough to be absolutely certain you have no cracks. ...""
