Awards and Patents

2003 FLC Award - The Acoustic Inspection Device

The AID rapidly and reliably discriminates and identifies or “sees“ liquid contents in sealed containers, determines if there are concealed compartments within sealed containers of liquid, and detects hidden compartments in solid forms such as metal ingots and tar kegs that may contain contraband (drugs or other smuggled commodities), or weapons of mass destruction. Detecting and preventing such items from entering the U.S. illegally will help ensure the safety and security of our nation, deter illicit drugs, deter smuggling, increase revenues, and verify treaty compliance.

2001 R&D 100 Award - MilliWave Viscometer

The MilliWave Viscometer fills a need for a high-temperature on-line viscosity sensor that makes possible real-time process control in the manufacture of glass, metals, and other melter-produced materials.

2000 R&D 100 Award - Multi-Blade Knife Failure Detector (KFD) for Food Processing

The KFD is a wireless acoustic emission system for food processing lines that immediately identifies knife failures. It was developed by engineers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the Lamb-Weston Technical Research Center to ensure high quality while reducing costs associated with labor, product loss, and environmentally compliant waste disposal.

1995 R&D 100 Award - Real Time Ultrasonic Imaging System (RTUIS)

The ultrasonic camera technology likely will lead to lower aircraft production costs and increased safety for users. Pacific Northwest's Byron Brenden developed the technology with André Durruty of Dassault Aviation, a French Company.

1994 R&D 100 Award - Ultrasonic Microstructural Analyzer (UMA)

The Ultrasonic Microstructural Analyzer (UMA) uses high frequency ultrasound to nondestructively analyze the subsurface microstructure of a component to measure hardness depth of heat-treated steel components or particle distribution uniformity of metal matrix composites.

 

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