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Applied Physics

Southwest Research Institute scientists and engineers explore the physical properties of large infrastructure components, such as pipelines, as well as complex natural features, such as water and petroleum reservoirs, discovering new ways to ensure structural reliability or to characterize the production potential of underground resources. We develop novel sensor technologies, algorithms and software programs to collect and process data (applied-physics.swri.org). We also specialize in creating unique electronic devices and in shrinking the size of existing devices to fit new applications (advancedelectronics.swri.org).

Engineers apply MsS technology to assess the structural health of aging aircraft, represented by this C-141 upper fuselage panel. The technology requires no structural disassembly and can detect notched defects in complex geometries and multilayer areas (nondestructive.swri.org).

We pioneered magnetostrictive sensor technology, which detects defects using guided waves propagated along a length of piping, tubing, rods, plates or cables. Our MsS® heat exchanger inspection probe has revolutionized the inspection of heat exchanger tubing; the previously lengthy and labor-intensive process can now be done at a fraction of the time and cost (nondestructive.swri.org).

In 2007, we developed a ruggedized MsS® 3030 toolkit that includes an MsS sensor, a battery and chargers in the bottom of a case, with a laptop strapped safely in the top of the case. The system is completely battery operated, requiring no external power to collect data in the field, and can inspect a variety of structures, from pipelines to aircraft.

Under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation, SwRI is developing remote-field eddy current inspection technology to detect and characterize pipe wall loss; this technology is being integrated with Explorer II, a robotic transport tool under development by Carnegie Mellon University. The resulting system, now under commercialization, will inspect six- to eight-inch-diameter pipelines containing tight bends and can be launched and retrieved with the pipeline in service (nondestructive.swri.org).

We delivered the first fourth-generation EDAS® data acquisition system, which acquires and analyzes ultrasonic signals used to inspect welds in piping and commercial nuclear power station reactor pressure vessels. This latest generation features many improvements in the user interface and reporting capabilities, including the capture of full-resolution video that can be edited for inspection reports.

Existing inspection techniques for low-pressure steam turbines involve disassembling the turbine to access internal components. SwRI developed and tested two devices to inspect low-pressure steam turbines without removal of the inner casing, providing tremendous time and cost savings. These devices consisted of unique mechanisms that deliver articulated videoscopes deep within the turbine to inspect blades and vanes. One device is inserted into the exhaust end and snakes through openings between the blades and vanes, while the other is inserted through ports and steam extraction gaps. Using a truncated full-scale turbine mockup, SwRI demonstrated that the two probes allowed inspection of blades and vanes in all stages of the turbine.

SwRI microbiologists are researching microbial drug delivery, decontamination agent effectiveness, and extending the shelf life of food and textiles with controlled-release biocides, as well as alternative fuel sources such as microbial fuel cells, spore-detecting biosensors, and environmentally friendly biodegradation clean-up applications (chemphys.swri.org).

In petroleum production, the current trend is to drill deviated and horizontal wells, particularly in fractured and deep-water reservoir formations. Understanding induced-fracture anisotropy is important when drilling deviated wells that penetrate deep- water sediments. SwRI has developed software packages to model sonic logs and estimate attenuation from deviated wells, which can help characterize the production potential of petroleum reservoirs. Scientists are also developing a data processing algorithm to automatically extract and visualize reservoir properties from sonic data, to characterize the rock surrounding boreholes (reservoirgeophysics.swri.org).

SwRI engineers designed the hardware for the Tactical Biometrics Collection and Matching System for the U.S. Navy. This portable, hand-held booking station allows users to collect, store and analyze fingerprints, iris scans and mug shots from up to 100,000 persons of interest. TBCMS can also upload watch lists, allowing users to identify suspects in the field.

In related research, SwRI scientists are using high-resolution crosswell seismic reflections to identify the areas in an underground aquifer that have the highest water production potential. We developed a processing algorithm that converts reflection seismic data to impedance and creates porosity and permeability images. Interpretational analysis suggests that zones of low impedance and high permeability are associated with high water production in a region of the Port Mayaca aquifer in south Florida.

Visit applied-physics.swri.org for more information or contact Vice President Edward D. Moore at (210) 522-2739 or emoore@swri.org

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