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Innovative Wrinkle Measurement Technique for Thin Membranes in Spacecraft
Launching spacecraft from Earth’s surface involves substantial fuel and energy expenditure, which limits the payload capacity of rockets. Consequently, every gram carried into space must be meticulously considered. To optimize this, researchers are exploring the use of lightweight, thin membranes as alternative materials. However, these membranes often wrinkle due to their plastic-like properties, potentially compromising their functionality. This underscores the need for advanced measurement technologies to accurately assess these deformations.
Professor Takashi Iwasa, from the Graduate School of Engineering at Osaka Metropolitan University, spearheaded a team that has made significant strides in this area. They developed a novel method to measure the size of wrinkles on thin membranes using a single camera equipped with photogrammetry techniques. By comparing photographs of the membrane’s surface taken before and after applying stress, the researchers can effectively determine the amplitude and wavelength of the wrinkles. This process involves printing measurement points on the membrane, with any shifts in their positions serving as indicators of deformation.
“Traditionally, multiple cameras were necessary for such measurements, but this new approach allows us to easily detect the size of the wrinkles by applying tension-field theory with just one camera,” explained Professor Iwasa. “This innovative method is particularly advantageous for large thin membrane spacecraft, where there is often a lack of space for multiple camera setups.”
The results of this research were published in the journal Measurement, marking a crucial advancement in the capability to analyze the physical properties of materials used in aerospace engineering. As space missions become more ambitious, the development of efficient, lightweight materials and the technologies to monitor their integrity will be essential for future exploration endeavors.
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