Presentations by Luna Innovations in 2006

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Presentations by Luna Innovations in 2006

Luna presents papers and posters at technical conferences and tradeshows each year. Below are brief explanations of those presentations. Contact us for more information about our emerging technologies and solutions.

Presentations Archives 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

A Novel Non-Halogenated Flame Retardant for Composite Materials
Flame retardants, such as inorganic fillers or halogenated resins, are incorporated into composites either as additives or reactive materials. In order to improve processability and mechanical properties, as well as reduce smoke toxicity, a method is being developed to introduce highly effective, inexpensive flame retardant materials into thermoset resins. Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) can be loaded with inexpensive inorganic phosphates as the flame retardant component in composite systems. The resulting SAP flame retardants dramatically improved fire resistance when blended with common matrix resins (epoxy, unsaturated polyester, urethane hybrid, and vinyl ester resins) at relatively low levels with very minimal off-gassing of toxic compounds during combustion.
Paper presented at COMPOSITES 2006 Convention and Trade Show, October 2006

High-Resolution Distributed Strain or Temperature Measurements in Single- and Multi-mode Fiber Using Swept-Wavelength Interferometry
We describe the use of swept-wavelength interferometry for distributed fiber optic strain and temperature sensing in single-mode and gradient index multimode fiber. The method is used to measure straing in a four-strand multimode cable under twist.
Paper presented at Optical Fiber Sensors, October 2006

Distributed Strain and Temperature Discrimination in Unaltered Polarization Maintaining Fiber
A Rayleigh scatter-based distributed measurement technique is presented in which strain and temperature discrimination is achieved using standard polarization maintaining fiber as the sensor. High-sensitivity Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometry is used to measure the scatter.
Paper presented at Optical Fiber Sensors, October 2006

High-Resolution Extended Distance Distributed Strain Measurements Using Swept-Wavelength Interferometry
The use of optical fibers as a sensing mechanism in high-voltage environments has steadily increased over the past several years and has begun to compete with conventional sensor platforms. Fiber optic sensors are ideal for high-voltage environments due to desirable electrical and mechanical characteristics which include EMI immunity, small size, and light-weight. In this paper Luna presented a novel technique for high spatial-resolution distributed strain measurements using unaltered standard telecommunications grade single-mode optical fiber.
Paper presented at EPRI’s Increased Power Flow Conference, August 2006

Absorbed Radiation Dose Measurement with a µK-resolution Ultrasonic Thermometer
Luna is developing a µK-resolution ultrasonic thermometer for non-invasive measurements of absorbed radiation dose in water and to characterize the intensity profile of radiation beams used for medical treatment. The ultrasonic thermometer performs high-resolution temperature measurements by monitoring subtle changes of the sound speed in water due to heating. Changing temperature (T) is the only factor affecting the speed of sound (V) in distilled water at a constant pressure: DV = k×DT. To accurately measure DV, Luna used a Pulsed Phase-Locked Loop—a low-power ultrasonic pulser-receiver with accurate phase measurement capability. Luna presented the most recent results including performance evaluation in Co-60 radiation, development of the new non-invasive calibration procedure, and implementation of the beta-prototype device designed for comparison against existing calorimetry standards.
Presented at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, August 2006

High Resolution Acoustic Groundwater Flow Monitor
Many damaging and hazardous organic and inorganic compounds, chemicals, mineral salts, nutrients, radionuclides and metals are carried in solution into the groundwater system and released into streams. An understanding of the dynamics of subsurface water movement is absolutely essential to managing water use and mitigating contamination of underground waters from surface sites or subsurface pumping. Most of the current methods for measuring groundwater flow are invasive, and do not provide real-time measurements. In this poster Luna presented research towards the development of an acoustic sensor that goes far beyond Doppler approaches to monitor groundwater vector flow with parts per million resolution, through an approach called Acoustic Phase Locking. Successful development of the proposed technology will have tremendous economic benefit for the nation’s environmental and agricultural communities particularly in the implementation of monitoring strategies and remediation activities.
Poster presentation at the American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference, June 2006

A New Flame Retardant Additive for Polymeric Composites
Flame retardants are incorporated into polymeric materials either as additives or reactive materials. Inorganic fillers and halogenated resins are the most common materials used to achieve flame resistance in fiber reinforced (FRP) composite materials. The flame retardant additives are blended with the resin prior to fiber impregnation at relatively high levels, often presenting problems of poor compatibility, poor processability, leaching, and reduced mechanical properties. Reactive flame retardants copolymerize with the polymer and do not leach or reduce mechanical properties. At this time, however, most copolymerized flame retardants are based on halogenated monomers with problems of smoke toxicity. A method is being developed at Luna Innovations to introduce highly effective, inexpensive flame retardants into thermoset resinswithout compromising physical properties. Superabsorbant polymers (SAP) can be loaded withinexpensive inorganic phosphates as the flame retardant component in composite systems. Theresulting SAP flame retardants dramatically improved flame exposure when blended withcommon matrix resins (epoxy, unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins) at relatively lowlevels. The SAP flame retardant is expected to be environmentally sound with very minimaloff-gassing of toxic compounds during combustion.
Presented at the Society of Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Long Beach, CA May 2006

Measurement of Localized Heating in Fiber Optic Components with Millimeter Spatial Resolution
Luna presents a novel technique for ultra-high resolution distributed fiber optic temperature sensing based on measuring spectral shifts in the Rayleigh backscatter signature along an optical fiber. We demonstrate that a temperature measurement with ±0.1 °C resolution can be achieved with spatial resolution of 10 mm, and a resolution of ±1 °C can be achieved with a spatial resolution of 2 mm. We demonstrate how this technique can be applied to in-situ temperature monitoring for high power amplifier module applications.
Presented at OFC/NFOEC, March 2006

Self Decontaminating Surfaces to Neutralize Biological Pathogens
Current decontamination processes for biological agents are complex, cumbersome and costly. To circumvent this process, a coating system is being developed with the continuous ability to decontaminate a surface exposed to biological agents including spores. The coating is intended for use in a variety of military and security applications.
Presented at Smart Coatings, February 2006

Initial Performance Evaluation of Optical Fibers and Sensors Under High-Energy Electron Beam Irradiation
In this paper, recent work on the performance of optical fiber, fiber optic sensors, and fiber optic connectors under the influence of a high-energy electron beam is presented. Electron beam irradiation is relevant for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) mission due to the high electron radiation environment surrounding Jupiter.
Presented at STAIF, February 2006

Active Temperature Compensation Using a High-Temperature, Fiber Optic, Hybrid Pressure and Temperature Sensor
Luna has developed a novel, fiber optic, hybrid pressure-temperature sensor system for extremely high-temperature environments that is capable of reliable operation up to 1050 °C. The novelty of the sensors presented here lies in the fact that pressure and temperature are measured simultaneously with a single fiber and a single transducer. This hybrid approach will enable highly accurate active temperature compensation and sensor self-diagnostics not possible with other platforms.
Presented at STAIF, February 2006

Un-cooled Fiber Optic Pressure Sensor for Gas Turbine Engines, Operation to 1922°F and 500 psig.
An un-cooled fiber-optic sensor design has been demonstrated to operate at greater than 1922°F (1050°C) and 500 psig.
Presented at AIAA, January 2006

High-Frequency, High-Pressure, Flush Mounted Miniature Liquid Oxygen Fiber-Optic Pressure Sensor
Luna partnered with the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, has developed a fiber-optic sensor for direct-contact, non-intrusive, pressure measurement in high pressure Liquid Oxygen (LOx). Prototype sensors were demonstrated in LOx at temperatures of -196 °C.
Presented at AIAA, January 2006

Active Temperature Compensation Using High-Temperature 800°C) Fiber Optic Hybrid Pressure and Temperature Sensor
There exists an expanding need within the gas turbine industry to make high-fidelity pressure measurements at extremely high gas temperatures. As performance and efficiency requirements drive turbine operating temperatures ever higher, the accurate measurement of combustor pressure fluctuations becomes vital to turbine life management and safety. The authors present a hybrid pressure and temperature sensor that is capable of measuring pressure at up to 800°C.
Presented at AIAA, January 2006

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