Autonomous Composite Fan Containment Integrity Monitoring (AUTOCONFIRM) System, Phase I

New engine fan blade containment structures are being manufactured with advanced composite structures such that they can withstand blade-out events. The use of advance composites requires the understanding of the possible effects of aging degradation on the performance of "hard wall" or "soft wall" composite fan containment structures to ensure durability in their use in jet engine applications. Acellent Technologies, Inc. proposes to develop an innovative, low-cost and reliable system for assessment of the integrity of composite fan containment structures that will automatically monitor in real-time the location and extent of damage in the containment structure. The system will utilize a network of miniature sensors integrated with the structure to scan the entire structural area for any impact events, resulting structural damage and monitor degradation due to usage. Phase I will focus on developing a prototype of the system and demonstrating functionality to detect damage both on the inner and exterior surface of the fan containment structure.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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