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Nov. 17, 2009 Contacts:
IPRT Scientist Honored for Work in Nondestructive Testing a Second TimeAMES – A scientist from the Institute of Physical Research and Technology (IPRT) recently received the Nondestructive Testing “Better Way” award from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Transport Association (ATA) for the second time in five years. The “Better Way” award recognizes a team of government and airline industry individuals for working together to advance inspection and testing of aircraft structure, components or systems. The award, which is jointly sponsored by the FAA and the ATA, was presented at ATA’s Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Forum in Atlanta, Georgia. The ATA is the trade association for the leading U.S. airlines, which transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. Nondestructive testing refers to methods that evaluate or characterize the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage. Rick Lopez, along with an international team of government and airline industry professionals, was recognized for accomplishments in working with a novel inspection method that utilizes self-adhesive polymeric sensors containing vacuum channels. When the sensor is attached to a component, the surface of the sample then becomes part of the vacuum system. The comparative vacuum monitoring (CVM) method, which was developed by Structural Monitoring Systems of Australia, is based upon the simple notion that a crack propagating under the sensor will affect the sensor’s ability to draw and hold a vacuum. Lopez’s involvement in the project included baselining the inspection method’s sensitivity and performing laboratory-based mechanical fatigue testing of solid and riveted test specimens while documenting crack detection limits of the sensors. By testing, evaluating and validating a sensor that detects cracks in difficult to access areas, the team has proven that this sensor can facilitate a more sensitive, rapid and reliable inspection. “This year’s award recognized the value placed on the CVM project, which began with basic validation efforts, and ended with in-situ studies on active commercial aircraft,” Lopez said. “Our winning team effort should lead to improved aircraft safety and reduced inspection costs in the future, something that all of the flying public can appreciate.” Lopez, a metallurgist with the Materials Group in the IPRT Company Assistance program since 2008, received the award in September. Before joining the Materials Group, he worked for the Nondestructive Evaluation Group in IPRT Company Assistance and participated in NDE research funded by the FAA. Lopez was also on a team from IPRT’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, which received another "Better Way" award in 2004 for evaluating and developing best practices in the application of fluorescent penetrant inspection. “I am very honored by this recognition, and these external commendations are really a testament to the caliber of work performed at IPRT’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation,” Lopez said. The Institute for Physical Research and Technology is a network of scientific centers at Iowa State University. |
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Institute for Physical Research and Technology
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