A scanning laser doppler vibrometer for characterizing and optimizing high performance materials, actuators, and implusive systems
Abstract
We are making rapid progress in the development of novel robots at various physical and temporal scales and using unique material combinations; however, we currently face a key challenge: the characterization of high speed, complex deformations. To address this need, we propose the acquisition of a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV), which would allow us to measure surface-related, out-of-plane velocities and displacements that are challenging or impossible to measure with standard equipment such as high-speed cameras and simple laser displacement sensors. The proposed system would be used to characterize the behavior of (a) impulsive mechanisms that rapidly dissipate energy, (b) piezoelectric micro actuators, (c) soft and hybrid rigid/soft systems, and (d) thermal barrier coatings and acoustic metamaterials, thus catalyzing the development of advanced materials, actuators, and impulsive systems for such critical applications as search and rescue, discrete surveillance, and minimally invasive surgery. Moreover, it would enable basic science research related to material performance and behavior that would be broadly applicable beyond the scope of the devices we are developing. The system we propose consists of a HeNe laser (633 nm) based vibrometer that measures microscopic motions through the Doppler effect. In the proposed system, the laser is mounted in a scanning head that allows the measurement of multiple points on a surface without repositioning, allowing for entire surface characterization (100 100 mm area at 150 mm standoff distance) and high-throughput testing (50 measurement points per second). The proposed equipment would immediately impact the ARO MURI ÒEvolutionary mechanics of impulsive biological systems: Guiding scalable synthetic designÓ as well as the DARPA A2P program ÒConnecting the Micro and Meso Scales through Pop-up Book Microelectromechanical Systems MEMsÓ. It would also be a valuable research-related educational platform in laboratory exercises for courses that cover topics related to vibrations, MEMS, and finite element analysis. Available for public release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 07, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610282
Entities
People
- Robert J Wood
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Harvard University
- United States Army