Detecting flaws in metal by mapping equipotentials on a two-dimensional graphite model

Authors

  • Callie Butash Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml
  • Emily Chen Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml
  • Grace Nealon Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml
  • Jake Chin Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml
  • Jason Donovan Katz Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml
  • Petra Rofman Science & Engineering Magnet Program , Manalapan High School image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64804/6hz16085

Keywords:

equipotentials, two-dimensional, voltage, electric potential, electric field, graphite, three-dimensional (3-D), two-dimensional (2-D), non-destructive testing

Abstract

With the popularization of 3-D (three-dimensional) printed metals, the necessity for a method to detect internal flaws is increasing. We experimented with a 2-D (two-dimensional) graphite model of 3-D printed metal and measured the potential at various points throughout the model in a grid-like fashion. To simulate imperceptible flaws, we erased internal portions of the graphite and re-measured the potentials at the same points. Graphing our measurements, we created representations of nonlinear potential differences, allowing us to conclude that calculating potential in intervals over a conducting surface is a valid method to detect imperfections hidden within 3-D printed conducting surfaces under certain conditions.

 

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Published

2026-04-10

Data Availability Statement

Data and code are available at https://github.com/devangel77b/426cbutash-lab10

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Butash, C., Chen, E., Nealon, G., Chin, J., Katz, J., & Rofman, P. (2026). Detecting flaws in metal by mapping equipotentials on a two-dimensional graphite model. Journal of Science & Engineering, 2(4), 68-72. https://doi.org/10.64804/6hz16085

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