This Research Equipment Grant (REG) is to purchase an Ultrasonic Scanning System for the non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of materials. Several research efforts are currently underway at the school in the area of processing of composite materials. A new process, where carbon fibers are coated with resin material before weaving, is being developed. Resin materials that exhibit poor melt flow characteristics that inhibit consolidation can be used by this process. Also being researched is a process to fabricate three dimensional composite parts using stereolithography. By preferential placement of fiber reinforcements, as the resin is cured in layers by Ultra-Violet light, it will be possible to engineer the mechanical properties of the component as required by its functional specifications. The ultrasonic scanning system is needed to assist in all these efforts. The structural integrity of the produced material can be verified easily by this equipment and will be beneficial in the development of these projects. These research efforts are all aimed at developing new techniques to make components out of composite materials in a rapid and cost-effective manner. The successful implementation of these projects, which will be benefited by this equipment, will benefit the industrial manufacturing sector.
