High-Performance Digital Imaging System for Development and Characterization of Novel Materials and Processes

Abstract

Abstract : The objective of this DURIP project was to acquire a new high-performance digital imaging system for visualization and quantitative characterization of high-speed dynamic fracture in advanced composite materials and flow instabilities in nanomanufacturing processes. Full-field dynamic stress analysis of fracture required high spatial resolution while ballistic processes needed ultrahigh-speed imaging. Observations of jet motion and instabilities in nanofiber manufacturing required flexible frame rate and long time (high frame number) videography. As a result of thorough market search, a system of three cameras was selected and acquired, including ultrahigh-spatial resolution Model 550-24 rotating mirror CCD camera by Cordin, ultrahigh-speed Model 214-8 image-intensified gated CCD camera by Cordin, and flexible, ultrahigh-frame number HG-100K color CMOS camera by Redlake. The cameras have overlapping resolution, recording rate/length, and sensitivity performance characteristics. This unique, state-of-the-art ultrahigh-resolution/speed imaging system will be used for quantitative experimental characterization of impact fracture and ballistic performance of novel advanced laminated composites with nanofiber-reinforced ply interfaces and for observation of electrohydrodynamics instabilities in electrospinning process.