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Applied Sciences
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Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications
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Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Optics and Lasers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 7732

Editors

Dr. Ester D’Accardi

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Politecnico di Bari, Via Edoardo Orabona, n.4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: thermography; non-destructive testing; thermal methods for defect characterization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Rosa De Finis

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Guest Editor
Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
Interests: fatigue; thermal methods; fracture mechanics; innovative materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Umberto Galietti

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Politecnico di Bari, Via Edoardo Orabona, n.4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Interests: mechanical engineering; experimental mechanics; stress analysis; nondestructive testing; infrared thermography
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, entitled “Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications”, explores the latest innovations in and practical implementations of non-destructive testing (NDT) across various industries. The Issue highlights advancements in multiple NDT techniques, including ultrasonic testing, radiography, eddy current testing, thermography, and computed tomography (CT), which collectively enhance our ability to assess material integrity, identify defects, and ensure quality without causing damage.

The integration of advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and real-time data analysis is driving NDT forward, allowing for more precise defect detection and comprehensive structural evaluations. These developments are instrumental in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, where ensuring safety and reliability is paramount.

For example, thermographic NDT, which utilizes infrared imaging to evaluate the thermal properties of materials, continues to evolve. It is particularly effective when detecting porosity, cracks, and fusion defects in additive manufacturing (AM) parts, both online and offline, contributing to improved quality control and reliability. Advances in infrared cameras and data processing algorithms have further expanded its applications.

The combination of thermographic NDT with other technologies, such as ultrasonic testing, radiography, eddy current testing, and computed tomography (CT), strengthens defect detection and material assessment processes. This multi-modal approach ensures a more thorough and accurate evaluation of structural integrity by leveraging the unique strengths of each technique.

This Issue also showcases case studies where NDT technologies, including thermographic methods, have successfully identified surface and subsurface defects, including voids, delamination, porosity, cracks, and other critical issues in real-world scenarios.

In conclusion, this Special Issue offers a comprehensive overview of emerging NDT technologies, underlining their growing role in maintaining the safety, reliability, and efficiency of industrial applications.

Dr. Ester D’Accardi
Dr. Rosa De Finis
Prof. Dr. Umberto Galietti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • non-destructive testing (NDT)
  • thermographic NDT
  • additive manufacturing defects
  • quantitative data analysis
  • machine learning in NDT
  • material integrity assessment

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 5940 KB  
Article
Feasibility Study for Determining the Coating State of ISIComp Material with Thermographic Techniques
by Giovanni Santonicola, Francesca Di Carolo, Davide Palumbo, Tiziana Matarrese, Ester D`Accardi, Mario De Cesare, Mario De Stefano Fumo, Cinzia Toscano and Umberto Galietti
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3498; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073498 - 3 Apr 2026
Viewed by 479
Abstract
This work investigates the feasibility of using thermographic techniques to identify the three possible states of a silicon-based coating on a carbon–silicon matrix (ISiComp). Experimental tests were therefore carried out on specimens prepared in three different conditions: uncoated, coated, and coated then oxidized. [...] Read more.
This work investigates the feasibility of using thermographic techniques to identify the three possible states of a silicon-based coating on a carbon–silicon matrix (ISiComp). Experimental tests were therefore carried out on specimens prepared in three different conditions: uncoated, coated, and coated then oxidized. The study compares lock-in thermography and pulsed thermography using both a cooled mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera and an uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) microbolometric camera. The main objective is to distinguish coated from uncoated conditions and oxidized from non-oxidized conditions, while recognizing that the coated and oxidized states cannot coexist simultaneously on the same specimen. The results show that thermographic techniques, when supported by appropriate post-processing, are promising for this purpose. In particular, the uncooled LWIR camera provided better results than the cooled MWIR camera, whereas the current approach did not allow a robust distinction between the pristine-coated and oxidized-coated states. At the same time, the study highlights limitations related to specimen size and to the additional treatments applied to reproduce the different surface states. Future work will address larger specimens and real components, together with the implementation of advanced AI-based classification algorithms to overcome the current limitations of the proposed approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications)
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20 pages, 3691 KB  
Article
Deep Learning-Based Classification of Water Stress in Maize Using Biospeckle Activity Maps
by Seongho Lee, Moon-Sub Lee and Hoonsoo Lee
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1639; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031639 - 6 Feb 2026
Viewed by 563
Abstract
Biospeckle imaging enables non-destructive observation of dynamic physiological activity in plant tissues; however, the relative sensitivity of different biospeckle activity maps to water stress and their implications for data-driven classification remain insufficiently understood. This study systematically evaluates multiple biospeckle activity mapping approaches for [...] Read more.
Biospeckle imaging enables non-destructive observation of dynamic physiological activity in plant tissues; however, the relative sensitivity of different biospeckle activity maps to water stress and their implications for data-driven classification remain insufficiently understood. This study systematically evaluates multiple biospeckle activity mapping approaches for water stress analysis in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves and examines how their characteristics influence deep learning–based classification performance. Maize plants were subjected to three irrigation levels (0%, 50%, and 100%) over a 7-day experimental period. Stomatal conductance was measured as an independent physiological reference, and a microfluidic phantom experiment was conducted to verify the physical response behavior of the biospeckle imaging system. Temporal variations in biospeckle activity were statistically analyzed, followed by deep learning–based classification using representative two-dimensional convolutional neural network models. Statistical analysis revealed that biospeckle activity exhibited stress-dependent responses, with severe water stress (0%) being consistently distinguishable, whereas moderate and well-watered conditions (50% and 100%) showed partially overlapping patterns. These trends were consistent with stomatal conductance measurements. Deep learning models trained on different biospeckle activity maps achieved classification accuracies of up to 0.73 and macro-averaged F1 scores of 0.73, with notable differences in performance depending on the selected activity representation. These results suggest that while traditional statistical parameters show limited linearity, the proposed deep learning-based biospeckle analysis could serve as a useful tool for water stress classification. By capturing complex spatial-texture features, this study presents a potential data-driven approach for precision plant phenotyping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications)
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17 pages, 3647 KB  
Article
Novel Experimental and Simulation Investigation of Transducer Coupling and Specimen Geometry Effects in Low-Frequency Ultrasonic Testing
by Piotr Wiciak, Edward Ginzel, Giovanni Cascante and Maria Anna Polak
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10772; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910772 - 7 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1216
Abstract
Conventional characterization of ultrasonic testing (UT) transducers primarily focuses on determining centre frequency and usable bandwidth. However, the relative amplitude distribution across different frequency components—particularly in low-frequency transducers used for civil engineering applications—remains largely overlooked. This paper introduces a comprehensive methodology to assess [...] Read more.
Conventional characterization of ultrasonic testing (UT) transducers primarily focuses on determining centre frequency and usable bandwidth. However, the relative amplitude distribution across different frequency components—particularly in low-frequency transducers used for civil engineering applications—remains largely overlooked. This paper introduces a comprehensive methodology to assess the influence of transducer coupling and specimen geometry on ultrasonic pulse velocity signals. The novel approach combines high-frequency laser Doppler vibrometry, real-time photoelastic imaging, and computer simulations using commercial semi-analytical wave-propagation software. The methodology is applied to the characterization of a 250 kHz UT transducer, with particular emphasis on how coupling with a solid test medium alters its frequency response. A glass specimen with an acoustic impedance comparable to that of concrete is used to simulate practical testing conditions. Vibration patterns recorded at the distal end of the specimen are analysed through computer simulations and validated experimentally using a novel photoelastic system capable of capturing wave–specimen interactions at ultrasonic frequencies in real time. The findings offer valuable insights into frequency-dependent signal behaviour and transducer–medium interactions, providing practical guidance for the design and optimization of UT inspections in concrete and other highly attenuative materials commonly encountered in civil engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications)
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15 pages, 6055 KB  
Article
Hot-Pressing of Ti-Al-N Multiphase Composite: Microstructure and Properties
by Ryszard Sitek, Kamil Bochenek, Piotr Maj, Michał Marczak, Krzysztof Żaba, Mateusz Kopec, Grzegorz Piotr Kaczmarczyk and Janusz Kamiński
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031341 - 27 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1398
Abstract
This study focuses on the development and characterization of a bulk Ti-Al-N multiphase composite enriched with BN addition and sintered through hot pressing. The research aimed to create a material with optimized mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties suitable for demanding industrial applications. The composite [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the development and characterization of a bulk Ti-Al-N multiphase composite enriched with BN addition and sintered through hot pressing. The research aimed to create a material with optimized mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties suitable for demanding industrial applications. The composite was synthesized using a powder metallurgy approach with a mixture of AlN, TiN, and BN powders, processed under a high temperature and pressure. Comprehensive analyses, including microstructural evaluation, hardness testing, X-ray tomography, and electrochemical corrosion assessments, were conducted. The results confirmed the formation of a multiphase microstructure consisting of TiN, Ti₂AlN and Ti₃AlN phases. The microstructure was uniform with minimal porosity, achieving a hardness within the range of 500–540 HV2. Electrochemical tests revealed the formation of a passive oxide layer that provided moderate corrosion resistance in chloride-rich environment. However, localized pitting corrosion was observed under extreme conditions. The study highlights the potential of a BN admixture to enhance mechanical and corrosion-resistant properties and suggests directions for further optimization in sintering processes and material formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications)
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21 pages, 8383 KB  
Article
Influence of Heat Treatment on Properties and Microstructure of EN AW-6082 Aluminium Alloy Drawpieces After Single-Point Incremental Sheet Forming
by Łukasz Kuczek, Krzysztof Żaba, Tomasz Trzepieciński, Mateusz Wąsikowski, Maciej Balcerzak and Ryszard Sitek
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020783 - 14 Jan 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2888
Abstract
An EN AW-6082 aluminium alloy is one of the 6000 series aluminium alloys with the highest strength properties. Due to its favourable strength-to-density ratio, it is used, among others, in the automotive and aviation applications. It is also characterised by good formability, especially [...] Read more.
An EN AW-6082 aluminium alloy is one of the 6000 series aluminium alloys with the highest strength properties. Due to its favourable strength-to-density ratio, it is used, among others, in the automotive and aviation applications. It is also characterised by good formability, especially in the annealed condition. This article presents the results of investigations on the possibility of forming a 2 mm thick EN AW-6082 alloy sheet using the incremental sheet-forming process depending on the material condition (O, W, T4, T6). The microstructure of the material after heat treatment and the mechanical properties of the workpiece material in as-received state, as well as after forming, were examined. Additionally, for selected cases, additional heat treatment of the drawpieces was performed to improve their mechanical strength. The values of the limit-forming angle were determined for the materials tested. The values of this angle varied from 69° for the annealed sheet to 61° for the material in the T6 condition. The highest yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) were found for sheets (YS = 305 MPs and UTS = 324 MPa) and the artificially aged drawpieces (YS = 333 MPa and UTS = 390 MPa). Additional ageing after incremental sheet forming resulted in an increase in strength properties compared to drawpieces without additional heat treatment only in the case of drawpieces made of sheet metal after the solutionising and in T4 condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Non-Destructive Testing Technologies: Advances and Applications)
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