Robotic platforms and methods of use are disclosed that include: at least one robot or robotic device, at least one computer-based control system, wherein the system is at least in part located on the at least one robot, at least one communications system, wherein the communications system is designed to communicate between the computer-based control system and the at least one robot, and at least one evaluation system that is designed to implement and process at least one nondestructive testing method.

A system for determining one or more properties of one or more gases. The system comprises sensors configured to measure thermal conductivity and exothermic responses of a sample at multiple temperatures. Sensor responses to exposure to a gas sample at two or more temperatures are compensated and analyzed by a subsystem. The subsystem is configured to determine a thermal conductivity of the gas sample at each of the two or more temperatures and determine at least one component of the gas sample based at least in part on the thermal conductivity value of the sample at each of the two or more temperatures. Related systems and methods of determining one or more properties of a sample are also disclosed.

A light-acoustic system and method for detecting an anomaly in a structure are provided. The system includes a light source configured to emit an excitation light and at least one excitation element attached to a surface of a structure. The at least one excitation element includes a photostrictive material and is configured to receive the excitation light for generating an oscillating strain. The oscillating strain generates an acoustic wave in the structure. The system also includes a detector configured to detect the acoustic wave.

A method is provided in which an ultrasonic signal is generated as an electromagnetic ultrasonic signal by the at least one transmitting transducer, which is in the form of an EMUS transducer, by means of a conductive layer arranged on the surface of the object or in said object. An evaluation apparatus is used to utilize the ultrasonic signal detected by the at least one receiving transducer, which is in the form of an EMUS transducer, in order to determine a flaw in the form of a delamination, a porefield or other such two-dimensional inhomogeneities.

The present disclosure proposes a non-baseline on-line stress monitoring system and monitoring method based on multi-mode Lamb wave data fusion. A Lamb wave dispersion curve is established according to geometric dimensions and material parameters of a measured object, a cut-off frequency of a first-order Lamb wave mode is obtained, an excitation frequency of a Lamb wave signal is determined, and then pure Lamb waves in S0 and A0 modes obtained inside the measured object are obtained; an acoustoelastic equation is established, an elastodynamic equation of the measured object under a prestress condition is solved, and linear relationships between a group velocity and a stress of the Lamb waves in the S0 and A0 modes under the excitation frequency are obtained; data is processed through the on-line monitoring system; a stress gradient in a depth direction is calculated, and finally, a stress state of the measured object is represented. The present disclosure does not require data under a zero stress state as baseline data, does not require designing a wedge block capable of generating a critical refraction longitudinal wave, and combines acoustoelastic effects of Lamb waves in different modes to realize online stress monitoring without the baseline data.

An electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) having an electromagnet array is provided. The electromagnet array includes electromagnets. Each electromagnet includes a magnetic core and a wound coil wrapped around the magnetic core. The electromagnet array generates bias magnetic fields having different patterns when the wound coils are energized differently. For instance, the electromagnet array generates a bias magnetic field having a given pattern, for the EMAT to transmit a first type of ultrasonic wave such as shear-horizontal wave, when the wound coils are energized in a given manner; and generates a bias magnetic field having a different pattern, for the EMAT to transmit a second type of ultrasonic wave such as a Lamb wave, when the wound coils are energized in a different manner.

Embodiments include an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system. The EMAT system includes a plurality of magnets and a conductor set. The plurality of magnets has a like pole arrangement and wherein each magnet is in close proximity to one another. The conductor set includes electrically conductive elements. A portion of the conductor set is positioned proximate to the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets and the conductor set are positioned proximate to a test object. The EMAT system is configured to perform at least one of generating and receiving an elastic wave. Embodiments also include a method of elastic wave measurement for nondestructive testing and evaluation. The method includes the steps of positioning an EMAT proximate a test object, generating an elastic wave such that the elastic wave propagates about the test object, detecting the elastic wave propagating about the test object, and analyzing difference in elastic wave character between the elastic wave in the generating step and the elastic wave in the detecting step to evaluate the test object.

In at least one illustrative embodiment, an electromagnetic filter may include a transfer pipe and multiple electromagnetic filter elements positioned in an interior volume of the pipe. Each electromagnetic filter element includes a support comb, a solenoid coupled to the support comb, and multiple magnetic members arranged in a planar array positioned within an opening of the support comb. Each magnetic member may rotate about an end that is coupled to the support comb. The magnetic members may be magnetostrictive sensors and may include a biorecognition element to bind with a target microorganism. A method for fluid filtration includes coupling the electromagnetic filter between a fluid source and a fluid destination, energizing the solenoids of each electromagnetic filter elements, and flowing a fluid media through the transfer pipe of the electromagnetic filter. The fluid media may be liquid food such as fruit juice. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A system includes a scanner body, a sensor package, a magnet, an actuator mechanism, and a retention mechanism. The sensor package includes a ferromagnetic strip and a flexible coil configured to at least one of transmit and detect a guided wave. The magnet is for applying a biasing magnetic field to the ferromagnetic strip. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide a mechanical pressure coupling between the magnetostrictive strip and a structure, and the retention mechanism is configured to counteract a force applied by the actuator mechanism. A processor is in communication with the sensor package and is configured to record guided wave signals detected by the flexible sensor coil, record scanner body location data provided by a position encoder, and generate two-dimensional image data of an anomaly in the structure based on the guided wave signals and location data. Methods of use and operation also are disclosed.

Various embodiments of a bio-inspired robot operable for detecting crack and corrosion defects in tubular structures are disclosed herein.