[IMC 2026] Contact-Free Microwave NDT for Non-Conductive Composites

Alexander Becsei, Becster Microwave wideband radar imaging is an emerging non-destructive testing technique with significant potential for condition monitoring and inline production monitoring of dielectric materials and composite structures. The method enables fast, non-contact inspection and can provide high depth resolution for detecting internal defects and structural variations. A central challenge is that image reconstruction is typically an ill-conditioned inverse problem. By applying artificial intelligence to the reverse problem, the interpretation of microwave responses can be improved, leading to more stable imaging, better defect identification, and enhanced material characterization. This makes the technique highly promising for industrial quality assurance, predictive maintenance, and automated monitoring systems.