Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

In recent years, there has been a surge in the application of advanced composites and a transition from legacy metallic structures to composite structures across many industries, including aerospace and automotive. This is in part fuelled by the promise of superior properties of composites over their metallic counterparts and in part by the desire to move towards lighter and more efficient structures. As composites are increasingly used in more complex structures and faster manufacturing processes, the need for quality control becomes a critical aspect of the fabrication. The current standard for non-destructive inspection is conventional ultrasound imaging, which has fundamental limitations to detect and quantify various types of defects. This NSERC Research Tools and Instruments grant defines a new collaborative project between ultrasound imaging experts and materials engineers to develop the next generation of non-destructive inspection imaging techniques. We will integrate our patented, recent advancements in ultrasound imagining to develop a framework that accurately detects and quantifies the presence of defects in composite parts. In the short-term, the focus of the immediate project is on the aerospace industry. In the long-term, this framework can be transferred to other industries including automotive and energy sectors. Our imaging solutions will be compatible with the manufacturing processes of our industrial partners. Our record of success, complimentary skills, extensive collaborations, and leadership will achieve this vision. As a diverse team with demonstrated leadership in equity, diversity and inclusion, we are well positioned to further promote EDI across the entire research program, including the recruitment of HQP and their placement. HQP trained in this research program will gain necessary skills to meet the pressing needs of Canadian industry and academia. The demand for HQP with image and data analytics, and composites material research is growing substantially. These HQP will readily attain employment in Canadian companies, e.g., aerospace and automotive.