NDT Student Challenge 2021

NDT Student Challenge 2021:

The third NDT Student Challenge will be held this year as a part of the International Symposium
on NDT in Aerospace. The format of the symposium will be hybrid this year. Teams of 2-4
students (including PhD students) not exceeding 30 years in age can therefore participate in
the symposium virtually or in person at very attractive participation rates.

While the 2020 Student Challenge was focused on analysis of an additively manufactured blade
on a virtual basis only, this year’s task for the student teams will be to inspect the blade in
hardware. The blade has been designed by NASA and contains several known defects that
need to be detected. The model can be downloaded from the symposium website
http://ndt2021.utcdayton.com/index.html and Student Challenge organizers will arrange to
ship the blade hardware to participating teams.

This year’s challenge is to demonstrate with NDT techniques how the different defects in the
turbine blade can be detected. This needs to be shown from a practical point of view through
short videos summarizing an inspection concept which needs to be argued from a cost as well
as from a probability of detection (PoD) point of view.

Keeping the high academic level and popularity of the past Student Challenges may lead the
organizers to perform a pre-selection of the participating teams in case the number of teams
may exceed eight. The teams are therefore asked to submit a short proposal describing the
methods potentially to be used and the general approach to be taken. A decision will then be
made on which of the applying teams will be selected for the challenge. Although not being a
requirement, X-ray Computer Tomography will be considered as a reference while the
application of alternative methods like Ultrasound, Thermography and Eddy Current is very
much encouraged and will possibly achieve a higher rank in the rating.

The tests can be performed in your own labs or in cooperation with others but must be pro-
perly documented (paper, recordings, diagrams, video, etc.). The inspection concept having

been evaluated is to be presented by each of the teams either in person or online during a
special session run at the 13th International Symposium on NDT in Aerospace due to be held in
Williamsburg/VA, USA during October 5 to 7, 2021. To see how the last Student Challenge went
on, please refer to: https://www.ndt.net/search/docs.php3?id=25662 .

Based on predefined evaluation criteria where the specifications can be found
on http://www.ndt2021.utcdayton.com/pages/students.html, an interdisciplinary and
independent jury will evaluate the different approaches and results. To guarantee a
fair challenge and good comparability, the test specimen designed by NASA Langley
will be manufactured by a single source currently under discussion.

Evaluation criteria:
The criteria upon which the challenge and hence the successful winner will be decided are
the following:

   •   Physical localization and sizing of artificial defects with different NDT techniques
       including use of data formats for further big data processing;
   •   Elaboration of an inspection concept to be argued in terms of automation, big data
       management, cost, probability of detection (PoD)
   •   Presentation of the technique (clarity & style);
   •   Paper submitted for the symposium
   •   Live demonstration (video and/or demonstration on site).

Schedule:
Until June 30th 2021:
Teams to register for the first NDT Student Challenge AND the 13th International
Symposium on NDT in Aerospace at
http://www.ndt2021.utcdayton.com/pages/students.html

By mid July 2021:
The AM sample (around 150 x 130 x 50 mm in size) to be sent to the teams for inspection
regarding detection of the different artificial defects

September 30th 2021:
Deadline for submission of manuscript

October 5th to 7th 2021 – 13th International Symposium on NDT in Aerospace live in Virginia &
online:
Presentation of the different team solutions

Aim of the challenge:
With this challenge, we want to encourage and honor students to apply, invent and present
their ideas to an international community coming from academia, authorities, industries and
research organizations. With the topic of NDT and additive manufacturing the students will
be part of a major discussion to be planned around this topic at the symposium. With this we
also want to increase the participation of students to international scientific symposia and to
provide them with a platform for their future career as well as deepening their interest into
the field of aerospace and NDT.

Jury:
The jury will be well selected being composed of members who should not have a conflict of
interest with the teams presenting. The members will have a background in aerospace and/
or NDT and represent the following communities:

   •   Academia (professor or lecturer)
   •   Industry or authority representative with AM or aerospace background
   •   Industry or authority representative with NDT background
   •   Student with an engineering or physics background (not older than 35 years) with a
       master’s degree.

Cost:
All team members must register as students for the symposium (250 US$ per team member).
In case of personal attendance, no travel and accommodation cost will be covered. The prize
for the winning team has a value of 1,650 USD .

Rules:
   • Every team must consist of a minimum of two and no more than four students being
       not more than 30 years old (PhD students included, student card or enrollment
       certificate required)
   • Participants of past teams are eligible to participate if they meet all other
       requirements.
   • The complete team has to register for the symposium.
   • At least one student of the team has to present the results at the 13th International
       Symposium on NDT in Aerospace in Williamsburg/VA, USA in October 2021 either in
       presence or online.

•   The teams are welcome to seek technical and financial support from potential
        sponsors to get their work done.
    •   Based on criteria to be published on
        http://www.ndt2021.utcdayton.com/pages/students.html the winning team(s) will
        be selected and awarded by the independent jury.

Questions:
For any questions, please contact:
Michael Stamm - Michael.Stamm@bam.de

2020 NDT in Aerospace Virtual Student Challenge