Villanova Engineering Professor and Graduate Student Awarded Patent for Fault Detection and Diagnostics System

VILLANOVA, Pa. (January 13, 2025) – C. Nataraj, PhD, Moritz Endowed professor of engineered systems at Villanova University’s College of Engineering and director of the Villanova Center for Analytics of Dynamic Systems, along with Turki Haj Mohamad ’21 PhD, has been awarded a patent for the development of a fault detection system that provides a software-based method for diagnosing the nature and magnitude of faults within dynamic mechanical and electrical systems.

“This fault detection technology has the potential to transform the manufacturing and engineering industries,” said Amanda Grannas, PhD, Vice Provost, Chief Research Officer, and professor of Chemistry at Villanova University. “Dr. Nataraj’s innovative work is pushing the boundaries of engineering, and we’re excited to see how this product will drive meaningful change across multiple sectors, including the healthcare, medical device, robotics and manufacturing industries.”

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—including gears, servomechanisms and motors.

“As systems get more complicated, the task of diagnostics has become very expensive and complex,” said Dr. Nataraj. “Our 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—making machinery much safer by providing a higher confidence level than exists currently.”

The algorithm applied to Dr. Nataraj’s 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’s hope is that this condition-based approach to maintenance—where maintenance is scheduled as problems occur—will 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 “injected diagnostics,” 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 Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova University’s 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—the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation’s top universities, Villanova supports its students’ intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu