Research
Activities - 310 EES
Professor Tittmann and his research group use ultrasonic non-destructive
evaluation and testing techniques to look for defects and changes in
a vast array of materials such as locomotive wheels, packaged baked
goods, and living human cells. Wire guided ultrasonic waves are used
for measuring dimension changes, material changes, formation of corrosion,
and formation of cracks in materials under high temperature and pressure.
Ultrasonic air-coupled sensors are used for the inspection of packaged
food products.
Atomic Force Microscope
Ultrasonic Force Microscope
The above sample shows the distribution
of uncentered ceramic aluminum oxide (white) held together by a
polymer binder (black). The image on the left, taken with an atomic
force microscope, provides a profile of the 20 nanometer in diameter
particles, while the image on the right, taken with an ultrasonic
atomic force microscope, shows more amplitude.
Current projects include the nondestructive evaluation of the integrity
of coatings and films for detection of wear and/or corrosion due to
exposure to environmental effects, imaging of living bio-cells with
acoustic microscopy for diagnostic use, and the use of ultrasonic sensors
for the detection of uranium and other radioactive particles in enclosed
containers for airport inspection.
Ongoing research has been sponsored
by the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, a consortium
of power companies, the Austrian railroad, and other private industries.
Dr. Tittmann is the co-author of six patents; has contributed to five
books; and has authored over 330 articles.
