Final Program Download
Keynote Talks
Keynote - 1 (Monday 8:15 - 9:05 am)
Dr. Eric Lindgren, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Bio
Dr. Lindgren is currently the Nondestructive Evaluation Technology Lead in the Materials State Awareness Branch of the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Before joining AFRL in 2006, Eric worked as the Director of Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Sciences at SAIC Ultra Image. He has over 30 years experience in NDE research, development, transition, and deployment, including efforts to develop and deploy advanced inspection methods for aerospace applications, transitioning basic research to inspections used on USAF aircraft structures, and developing materials characterization and process monitoring/control methods using NDE technology. He earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Johns Hopkins University
Capt. David Smith, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory
Bio
Major David A Smith is currently the deputy branch chief for the Materials State Awareness Branch of the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory. Prior to joining the MSA branch, Maj Smith was assigned the Satellite Assessment Center of the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Nuclear Weapons Center, FE Warren AFB. Maj Smith has over 15 years’ experience across multiple Air Force weapons platforms. This includes the research, operations, and sustainment of said systems. He earned a B.S. in Electronics Engineering from the University of Nebraska and a M.S. in Electromagnetics from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Electromagnetic NDE and the US Air Force: an Overview
Authors: Eric Lindgren and David Smith
Abstract:
The US Air Force (USAF) has a rich history of using electromagnetic methods to help ensure the safety of aircraft structures and propulsion systems. These systems can range from simple hand-held eddy current inspection systems to complex and automated systems that span a broad range of frequencies for various materials systems, such as ceramic-based composites. The history of the use of electromagnetic methods can date back to the 1920s, but there is a continued need for research and development in this capability to meet emerging needs of the USAF. This discussions covers the past and current use of electromagnetics, including relevant frequency ranges, signal processing, and the integration of modeling to assist in the development of methods to improve detection capability and enable inversion of signal to characteristics of the feature(s) of interest. Initial efforts have shown success in expanding the use of electromagnetics to material systems beyond metals where the primary application is detecting surface-breaking discontinuities. In addition, the use of informed inversion methods is tackling the ill-posed inversion that must be resolved to enable characterization with statistical metrics which is a requirement for the use of this information in risk management. This overview covers some of the challenges being addressed by research in the Material and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). Additionally, it also outlines future plans and the specific challenges being addressed by the technology development effort of AFRL. This development effort includes applications in current and future structures and propulsion systems, plus the exploration of potential to address the needs of new material systems and new processing methods.
Keynote - 2 (Monday 9:05 - 9:55 am)
Dr. David J. Gorsich, Chief Scientist, U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, Warren, Michigan
Bio
Dr. David J. Gorsich was selected for a Scientific and Professional (ST) position in January 2009 and serves as the Army’s Chief Scientist for Ground Vehicle Systems. His current research interests are vehicle dynamics and structural analysis, reliability-based design optimization, underbody blast modeling, terrain modeling and spatial statistics. He is the primary technical advisor to the Director of TARDEC and responsible for the organization’s science and technology strategy, as well as the review of TARDEC’s basic research programs. He is the organization's primary focal point to organizations such as DARPA and Army Research Office (ARO), and serves as the technical expert for the U.S. Army National Automotive Center. Previously Dr. Gorsich was the Director of Strategic Plans and Programs at TARDEC, and the Associate Director for Modeling and Simulation. As TARDEC's Associate Director for Simulation, he also was responsible for the Center's High Performance Computing program. Before 2003, Dr. Gorsich served as a research scientist in TARDEC's Robotics Lab as well as the leader of the National Automotive Center's Vehicle Intelligence team. He has held positions within the Program Managers’ offices, and with the Army in Washington D.C. He has published over 150 conference and journal articles in the areas of simulation, reliability-based design optimization, terrain modeling, spatial statistics and other approximation methods. He received his Ph.D. in applied mathematics from M.I.T. in 2000, his M.S. in applied mathematics from George Washington University in 1994, and his B.S. in electrical engineering from Lawrence Technological University in 1990.
U.S. Army TARDEC NDE Efforts
Abstract:
An introduction to the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) is presented along with a survey of various TARDEC Electromagnetic Nondestructive Evaluation projects. Some topics to be discussed include a system to measure defects and cracks in layered ceramic armor, and a project on Eddy Current Testing (ECT) for defects embedded in thick steel armor. Also described is the development of a patent-pending, portable hull-inspection system that exploits the GPU thread capabilities in laptops to rapidly characterize the defects and determine if withdrawal of the vehicle for maintenance is warranted. Another unique application involved a project with NASA to use infrared imaging to determine ice thickness on the previous Space Transport Shuttle External Tank. Extensive work has also been done to use embedded sensors in armor for real time health monitoring and situational awareness on the battlefield. The integration of these technologies into future military ground vehicles for fleet predictive maintenance will be discussed.
Keynote - 3 (Tuesday 8:00 - 8:50 am)
Dr. Sherry Borener, Chief Data Officer and Senior Research Advisor – (PHMSA)
Bio
Dr. Sherry Borener is the Chief Data Officer and Senior Research Advisor – Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). She has served at the Department of Transportation for nearly 30 years in regulatory and risk analysis programs. Dr. Borener worked in the pipeline safety field in the mid-1990s, when leak detection systems for transmission pipelines were under consideration. Her research was part of the analysis of valve requirements for both natural gas and liquids pipelines. serves as the Alternate Designated Federal Official in support of the Voluntary Information Sharing Process Sharing subcommittee. Dr. Borener’s role as Chief Data Officer at PHMSA will be focused on innovative methods of improving information sharing and analytical methods to improve both the efficiency and the efficacy of PHMSA’s regulatory programs.
Formerly, Dr. Borener directed a team of researchers and analysts in the development and application of high-level models of aviation system performance, to evaluate the impacts of aviation system changes on safety. These included new technologies, aircraft, and procedures that might be affected by or related to the large improvement program referred to as NextGen. As an FAA program manager for the last six years, she had extensive experience in voluntary information sharing programs with industry, regulatory impact analysis modeling, system performance assessment, and management of rulemaking committees. Her focus was on the collection and analysis of data to support program investment, risk assessment, and management system evaluations, including regulations and economic incentive programs providing results that influence national and international policy.
Borener Her role as Chief Data Officer at PHMSA is focused on innovative methods of improving information sharing and analytical methods to improve both the efficiency and the efficacy of PHMSA’s regulatory programs.
The Potential of Voluntary Information Sharing and Non-Destructive Evaluation for Pipeline Safety
Abstract:
Voluntary Information Sharing has significant potential in improving both the safety and cost of maintaining over 2.7 million miles of pipelines used for transportation of hazardous liquids and gas in the United States. One of the areas of opportunity lies in the application of Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) and pipeline safety. and pipeline safety. NDE can be used to identify anomalies that might be indicative of corrosion, cathodic protection failure or other indicators of potential safety issues and assist operators in prioritizing pipelines for excavation and replacement.
Under Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) current regulatory regime, inspection and maintenance are mandatorily scheduled based upon several factors, including the time since last inspection, pipeline type, location, and potential safety hazards. Pipelines and storage facilities have varied designs and performance characteristics that might argue for different inspection, maintenance and replacement regimes that would yield improved safety performance at a lower cost. However, modifications to prescriptive standards require significant amounts of data and analysis to be successfully developed and adopted. This is where some potential opportunities for Voluntary Information Sharing exist.
NDE will play a significant role in the determination of pipeline failure potential and expected useful life for the country’s pipeline network. The potential of this methodology to avoid future maintenance costs and reduce risks can be enhanced when industry and government can share important information that will improve the accuracy of the diagnostics and the conclusions of post-hoc verification analysis
Invited talk (Monday 10:10 - 10:40 am)
Joshua Arnold, R&D Program Manager, PHMSA, U.S. Department of Transportation
Bio
Mr. Joshua Arnold is a General Engineer in the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Office of Pipeline Safety, Washington, DC. He has worked at DOT PHMSA since October 2015. At PHMSA, Joshua is a Research and Development program manager, conducts special permit reviews, and is a composite piping subject matter expert. Prior to joining PHMSA, Joshua worked at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the Bio-Acoustic & Flow Laboratory. He studied mechanical engineering at Washington State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in 2011 and Master of Science in 2013, with an emphasis on acoustics and thermofluids.
Innovation in a Regulated Space
Abstract:
Regulators seek to maximize public safety and minimize risk. Innovators must by their nature have a higher risk tolerance. To leverage innovation for public safety, innovators and regulators must work together to understand knowledge and technology gaps. This can result in partnerships with mutually agreed upon levels of risk, and highest possible outcomes for public safety. The Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has worked with stakeholders to successfully create partnerships resulting in advancing knowledge and addressing technology gaps. A description of the OPS process, successes, lessons learned, and future opportunities for partnerships will be discussed
