The JPL's Nondestructive Evaluation and Advanced Actuators (NDEAA) Technologies lab is involved with innovative research and development (R&D) for space applications and technology transfer to other fields. It was established by Dr. Yoseph Bar-Cohen in May 1991 and it is part of his JPL's Electroactive Technologies Group for which he is the Supervisor. Dr. Bar-Cohen and his Group members are internationally leading scientists in the field of electroactive materials and related mechanisms. The members of his Group are Dr. Mircea Badescu, Dr. Zensheu Chang, Dr. Mike (Shyh-Shiuh) Lih, and Dr. Stewart Sherrit. In addition, thru the JPL Educational Outreach Program professors, visiting scientists and students are participating in various studies at this lab. A link to the homepage of the NDEAA Lab is included that compiles the intelectual properties record of JPL's Section 355 (the access is limited to JPL and NASA only). The topics of R&D include novel actuators (mostly using electroactive ceramics and polymers), drilling and sampling systems, transducers, sensors, robotic mechanisms and NDE methods. The group conducts analytical modeling, development, design and fabrication of novel mechanisms and devices, performance testing and characterization as well as analysis that involve mechanical, electrical, magnetic and thermal parameters and interactions. Between Jan. 1, 2000 and Jul. 2, 2001, this NDEAA webhub had 1,000,007 (crossed the one million) total hits and this lab has been the subject of many articles in the news media. The NDEAA lab is involved with a broad range of R&D topics as described in the following clickable icons. The photos of the NDEAA members are clickable to their biography.

pizeo pump USM simulation FMPUL icon MEMICA LLW bridge MACS NGPS Book cover wiper EAP USDC in delicate hand

Dr. Yosi Bar-Cohen Dr. Y. Bar-Cohen,
Supervisor, Electroactive Tech. Group &
Senior Research Scientist
Dr. Mircea Badescu Dr. Mircea Badescu
Dr. Zensheu Chang Dr. Zensheu Chang
Dr. Mike (Shyh-Shiuh) Lih Dr. Mike (Shyh-Shiuh) Lih Dr. Stweart Sherit Dr. Stewart Sherrit

The mechanisms that were developed at the NDEAA Lab are driven by elastic waves, mechanical vibrations and/or electroactive materials. Examples of these mechanisms include the ultrasonic/sonic driller/corer (USDC) that uses low preload and is developed for planetary sampling, deep drilling, high-temperature drilling, probing, sensing and in situ analysis making it a Lab-on-a-Drill. Also, they developed ultrasonic and surface acoustic wave motors and piezoelectric pumps that are driven by traveling flexural waves, This lab made major contributions to the field of electroactive polymers for use as actuators (artificial muscles) and, thru various forums, is mentoring the activity worldwide. Other technologies that are being explored include Haptic interfaces, high power ultrasound for medical treatment, ferroelectric source that generates various radiations and charged particles, wireless high power transmission, biomimetic technologies and geophysical probing using elastic waves. In addition to planetary applications, the developed devices and mechanisms have potential terrestrial applications for medical, commercial, construction and others. These efforts involve technical cooperation with scientists and engineers at various universities, research institutes, medical centers and industry in the USA and internationally. Collection of photos that shows various activities of the Group can be seen oat the The Advanced Technologies Group and its NDEAA Lab - collection of photos website. Further, the Nov. 2001 issue of the NASA Tech Briefs covered Dr. Bar-Cohen and NDEAA in a "Who's Who in NASA" article.

Research & Development Tasks



News clipping covering the JPL's NDEAA activity



NDEAA Archive



NASA Working Groups



Technical Societies Activity



Description of the NDEAA Labs