Inspecting Composites Using Microwave Techniques
Tracks
INNOVATION LAB
Presentation Topic Level - Intermediate
Target Audience - General Interest
Target Audience - Small Business Managers
Target Audience- NDT Engineers
Target Audience- Technicians/Inspectors
Thursday, October 9, 2025 |
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM |
Fiesta 7-9 |
Speaker
Robert Stakenborghs
Ceo
Advanced Microwave Imaging
Inspecting Composites Using Microwave Techniques
Presentation Description
I will present recent developments in the field of microwave inspection particualrly as it relates to the inspection of complex composite materials. The course will focus on the physics of the interaction of the EM radiation with composite materials and how this is leveraged to provide detailed inspection of multi-layered materials, such as bals and foam core materials that are prevalent in the wind turbine blade industry.
Short Course Description
I will present recent developments in the field of microwave inspection particualrly as it relates to the inspection of complex composite materials. The course will focus on the physics of the interaction of the EM radiation with composite materials and how this is leveraged to provide detailed inspection of multi-layered materials, such as balsa and foam core materials that are prevalent in wind turbine blade and vessel hul construction.
Biography
Bob Stakenborghs has been working in the field of microwave inspection since 2004. In 2020 he formed his own company, Advanced Microwave Imaging, to further advance the science and use of microwaves as a means for inspecting composite materials. The latest inspection systems developed by Bob and Advanced Microwave Imaging include multi-frequency vector network analyzer systems that are equipped with the only antenna system specifically designed for inspection, which is proprietary to AMWI, as well as specially developed data acquisition and analysis software. Multiple microwave inspection systems have been developed by AMWI and successfully deployed in field inspection applications.
Mr. Stakenborghs continues to work in research, development and deployment of innovative inspection systems that utilize state of the art microwave sensor technology. His microwave systems have been effective at inspecting HDPE pipe fusions, fiberglass wind turbine blades, fiberglass pipe repairs, fiberglass boat hull sections, as well as other composite piping. He has written multiple peer reviewed papers and articles on the topic of microwave inspection and the interaction of microwave energy with materials for the purposes of inspection.
Bob currently sits on several ASME, ASTM, ASNT, and ISO committees where he authors codes and standards specifically for microwave inspection. He is a Senior Vice President for the Technical and Engineering Communities Council at ASME and was elected an ASME Fellow in 2016.
