Handheld RUS Sensor Design and Prototyping

The contract focuses on the design and engineering of a handheld ultrasonic sensor utilizing Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy to identify microfractures in railcar wheelset bearings, aiming to enhance safety and predictive maintenance in railroad operations. The project will involve developing a portable, field-deployable device capable of nondestructive detection of early-stage damage in critical bearing components, leveraging the precision of RUS to detect subtle changes in material resonance patterns indicative of microcracks. The work is to be performed in Simi Valley, California, with a NAICS code of 334511 indicating classification under navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing. This subcontract is tied to the Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration and is intended to advance inspection technologies for rail infrastructure. The project emphasizes innovation in sensor miniaturization, signal processing, and real-time data interpretation to enable on-site maintenance personnel to detect bearing degradation before failure occurs. While specific performance metrics or deliverables are not listed, the emphasis on prototyping suggests a focus on moving from conceptual design to a functional, ruggedized device suitable for industrial use. The effort supports broader goals of improving rail safety through advanced, noninvasive diagnostics.