Proof of concept for an ultrasensitive meta-device to detect and localize nonlinear elastic sources

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel elastic metamaterial device that enhances detection of nonlinear elastic sources by naturally filtering higher harmonics, enabling sensitive, portable damage detection without complex digital processing.

Contribution

The study presents a proof-of-concept metamaterial device that improves nonlinear elastic source detection through filtering and focusing, reducing reliance on digital signal processing.

Findings

Successfully demonstrated detection of nonlinear elastic sources

Enhanced signal-to-noise ratio for higher harmonics

Potential for portable and passive damage detection tools

Abstract

The appearance of nonlinear effects in elastic wave propagation is one of the most reliable and sensitive indicators of the onset of material damage. However, these effects are usually very small and can be detected only using cumbersome digital signal processing techniques. Here, we propose and experimentally validate an alternative approach, using the filtering and focusing properties of elastic metamaterials to naturally select the higher harmonics generated by nonlinear effects and to increase their signal-to noise ratios, enabling the realization of time-reversal procedures for nonlinear elastic source detection. The proposed device demonstrates its potential as an efficient, compact, portable, passive apparatus for nonlinear elastic wave sensing and damage detection.