Session: 12-02: Structural Health Monitoring II

Paper Number: 147657

147657 - Metamaterial-Enabled Ultrasonic Power Transmission Through Metallic Barrier Using Defect Mode 

Abstract: 

Many nuclear facilities, such as spent fuel storage dry casks and nuclear reactor pressure vessels, are sealed by metal barriers for up to 50 years. Harsh environments inside including high pressure, temperature, and radiation need to be closely monitored for safety and security operations. Power transmission through metallic barriers is necessary to support internal condition monitoring and wireless data communication when through holes are prohibited. In this study, a stub-based metamaterial was proposed for through-wall ultrasonic power transmission by leveraging defect mode. First, we designed a bandgap structure aiming to create a complete bandgap using stub-plate metamaterial configuration. The square lattice and hexagonal lattice were compared for a wide bandgap. Then, by replacing one stub with piezoelectric device as defect and also receiver, defect modes frequency and mode shape were studied using supercell calculation.  Localized energy behavior within defect area was further investigated when another piezoelectric transmitter was attached at the back side of the plate sending power to the receiver. Both mechanical and electric output performance were evaluated. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility of d36 type PZT with face-shear deformation to excite higher-order defect mode with complex strain node deformation, which provides more options for defect mode resonances. This study paves the way for a future generation of wireless ultrasonic through-wall power transfer.

Presenting Author: Xuan Zhu The University of Utah

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Zhu is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah and serves as the director of the infrastructure sensing & experimental mechanics (iSEM) laboratory. He obtained his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, M.S. in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and Ph.D. in structural engineering from the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on smart materials and structures, experimental mechanics, nondestructive evaluation, and their applications in civil and energy infrastructure. His research has been supported by the Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Sandia National Laboratories, and private funds. He serves as a senate member for SHM/NDE technical executive committee for the ASME Adaptive Structures and Material Systems and a member of the TRB standing committee on Railroad Infrastructure Design and Maintenance. He is also an associate editor for the Journal of Nondestructive Evaluation.

Authors:

Keping Zhang The University of Utah
Fei Chen The University of Utah
Pai Wang The University of Utah
Xuan Zhu The University of Utah