Design, Analysis, and Testing of Nanoparticle-Infused Thin Film Sensors for Low Skin Friction Applications

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dc.contributor.authorLeslie, Brian Roberten
dc.contributor.committeechairSchetz, Joseph A.en
dc.contributor.committeememberPhilen, Michael K.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSeidel, Gary D.en
dc.contributor.committeememberClaus, Richard O.en
dc.contributor.departmentAerospace and Ocean Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2013-02-19T22:35:24Zen
dc.date.available2013-02-19T22:35:24Zen
dc.date.issued2012-12-07en
dc.description.abstractAccurate measurement of skin friction in complex flows is important for: documentation and monitoring of fluid system performance, input information for flow control, development of turbulence models and CFD validation. The goal of this study was to explore using new materials to directly measure skin friction in a more convenient way than available devices. Conventional direct measurement skin friction sensors currently in use are intrusive, requiring movable surface elements with gaps surrounding that surface, or require optical access for measurements. Conventional direct measurement sensors are also difficult to apply in low shear environments, in the 1-10 Pa range. A new thin, flexible, nanoparticle infused, piezoresistive material called Metal Rubber" was used to create sensors that can be applied to any surface. This was accomplished by using modern computerized finite element model multiphysics simulations of the material response to surface shear loads, in order to design a sensor configuration with a reduced footprint, minimal cross influence and increased sensitivity. These sensors were then built, calibrated in a fully-developed water channel flow and tested in both the NASA 20x28 inch Shear Flow Control Tunnel and a backwards facing step water flow. The results from these tests showed accurate responses, with no amplification to the sensor output, to shear levels in the range of 1-15 Pa. In addition, the computer model of these sensors was found to be useful for studying and developing refined sensor designs and for documenting sources of measurement uncertainty. These encouraging results demonstrate the potential of this material for skin friction sensor applications.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:26en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/19199en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectAerospaceen
dc.subjectFluid Dynamicsen
dc.subjectSkin Frictionen
dc.subjectSensoren
dc.subjectInstrumentationen
dc.subjectComputational fluid dynamicsen
dc.subjectFEMen
dc.subjectTurbulenten
dc.subjectDesignen
dc.titleDesign, Analysis, and Testing of Nanoparticle-Infused Thin Film Sensors for Low Skin Friction Applicationsen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineAerospace Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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