Electric Field Imaging of Tribolectric Charged Materials (EFI)

NDE historically has focused technology development in propagating wave phenomena with little attention to the field of electrostatics and emanating electric fields. This work is intended to bring electrostatic imaging to the forefront of new inspection technologies, and new technologies in general.  The specific goals are to specify the electric potential and electric field including the electric field spatial components emanating from, to, and throughout volumes containing objects or in free space.

Objectives

Development of new inspection technology for quantitative evaluating integrity of wire insulation, structural components, dielectric properties, electrostatic charge (ESD), locating and characterizing hidden objects, remote monitoring and characterization of human electrochemical activities.

Background

NDE historically has focused technology development in propagating wave phenomena, such as, X-ray, N-Ray, ultrasonic, microwave, thermal, terahertz, and eddy current with little attention to the field of electrostatics and emanating electric fields.  This work is intended to bring electrostatic imaging to the forefront of new inspection technologies, and new technologies in general.  The specific goals are to specify the electric potential and electric field including the electric field spatial components emanating from, to, and throughout volumes containing objects or in free space.

This work will be based on the original electric field sensor (e-Sensor) work disclosed by Generazio (2002). Current efforts have been focused on understanding the e-Sensor sensitivity and understanding the environment in which the e-Sensor is responding to. 

Customers

NASA Programs, ESD mitigation programs, astronaut health monitoring, military, public transportation safety, medical community, and computer technology developers.

Milestones

FY16:  Design 2D e-Sensor array and establish calibration protocols
FY17:  Test array for imaging electronic& structural components
FY18:  Document capability of 2D array

Project Manager

Edward R. Generazio (Retired)

New contact: Eric Burke DPM, 757-864-7724, eric.r.burke@nasa.gov 

References

Generazio, E. R. ( November 19, 2013). Ephemeral Electric Potential and Electric Field Sensor; USTPO 61/906,068.

Generazio, E. R. (February 4, 2011). Electric Field Quantitative Measurement System and Method, USTPO 13/020,025 .

Generazio, E. R. (March 13, 2013). Quasi-Static Electric Field Generator, USTPO 13/800,379 .