This ongoing project focuses on the development of an undergraduate Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) teaching and research laboratory and the implementation of instructional modules centered on ultrasonic testing techniques. The goal of the project is to introduce undergraduate engineering students to modern inspection technologies and provide hands-on experiences that connect theoretical knowledge from materials science and mechanics with practical engineering evaluation methods. A major component of the project involves the development of laboratory experiments using ultrasonic testing systems, including both contact ultrasonic inspection and immersion-based non-contact ultrasonic testing. These systems allow students to investigate ultrasonic wave propagation, perform defect detection in engineering materials, and interpret inspection signals. The project also incorporates complementary NDT methods such as eddy current testing for surface flaw detection, magnetic particle inspection, and liquid penetrant inspection, allowing students to compare different inspection techniques and understand their capabilities and limitations. The laboratory is supervised by Dr. Qiuyan Li, who leads the development of experimental setups, instructional materials, and student research activities associated with the NDT program. Current work includes designing laboratory exercises, developing specimen sets with known defects, and evaluating the effectiveness of ultrasonic testing experiments for undergraduate engineering education.
This project contributes to expanding hands-on learning opportunities in the mechanical engineering curriculum and provides students with exposure to inspection technologies widely used in manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and infrastructure systems. Some of the most recent work was presented in ASEE Annual Conference 2025.
Qiuyan Li, George Richards and Charles Clauss. "Introducing Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing in Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Education." 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada , 2025, June. ASEE Conferences, 2025.