草榴社区

VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 13, 2025) 鈥� C. Nataraj, PhD, Moritz Endowed professor of engineered systems at 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Engineering and director of the , along with Turki Haj Mohamad 鈥�21 PhD, has been awarded a patent for the that provides a software-based method for diagnosing the nature and magnitude of faults within dynamic mechanical and electrical systems.

鈥淭his fault detection technology has the potential to transform the manufacturing and engineering industries,鈥� said Amanda Grannas, PhD, Vice Provost, Chief Research Officer, and professor of Chemistry at 草榴社区. 鈥淒r. Nataraj鈥檚 innovative work is pushing the boundaries of engineering, and we鈥檙e excited to see how this product will drive meaningful change across multiple sectors, including the healthcare, medical device, robotics and manufacturing industries.鈥�

The software uses data from already existing sensors to diagnose the nature and magnitude of defects in many different electrical and mechanical systems, as well as in components of these systems鈥攊ncluding gears, servomechanisms and motors.

鈥淎s systems get more complicated, the task of diagnostics has become very expensive and complex,鈥� said Dr. Nataraj. 鈥淥ur goal was to design a software that eases fault diagnostics detection for any kind of machine by seamlessly running an algorithm in the background while the machine is operating. And our system is highly accurate鈥攎aking machinery much safer by providing a higher confidence level than exists currently.鈥�

The algorithm applied to Dr. Nataraj鈥檚 software uses a unique combination of physics and artificial intelligence to find and diagnose potential problems in a machine that may cause larger issues over time. Once the software finds a potential defect, maintenance can be scheduled for the equipment. Dr. Nataraj鈥檚 hope is that this condition-based approach to maintenance鈥攚here maintenance is scheduled as problems occur鈥攚ill save companies time, money and resources when it comes to fixing their machines. Timely detection of a defect also ensures that intervention can take place before a catastrophic failure occurs, preventing destruction to both the machine and the individuals working with them.

The software also uses what Dr. Nataraj refers to as 鈥渋njected diagnostics,鈥� during which the fault detection system injects a tiny electric current into the machine it is analyzing to extract information from the system. The extracted information can then help the software diagnose potential defects or problems that need to be addressed.

The fault detection system, which can be applied to virtually any kind of electromechanical manufacturing equipment, including electric motors, aircraft engines, steam turbines, automotive systems and more, achieved between 95-100% accuracy in finding and diagnosing potential defects during trials.

Dr. Nataraj has earned multiple patents, including one for NovaVent, a mechanical ventilator developed as an emergency alternative ventilator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 草榴社区:聽Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit聽