Positron Systems has developed a nondestructive inspection technique that can quantify small changes in microstructure induced by surface treatments.  Positron Systems’ Induced Positron Annihilation—Surface (IPA-S) technology is sensitive to the surface/near-surface (.1 to 3 mm) of materials.  The IPA-S has demonstrated the ability to detect and quantify manufacturing defects and operational damage accumulation in materials with surface coatings, assess induced residual stress from shot peening and cold working around fastener holes.  The IPA-S nanotechnology is based upon the physics of positron annihilation.  Positrons are sensitive to defects, damage, and treatment induced changes in materials as they initiate at the atomic microstructural level. Changes induced by surface coatings, treatments and fatigue or corrosion damage cause a change in the positron annihilation response signal in the materials.  The positron response will change according to the size of the induced defect/damage and the intensity of induced changes or defects. The IPA technology provides early indications of impending failure or degradation of treated components and can be used in the assessment of the relative effectiveness of competing surface coating/treatment technologies.  The technical basis for the use of IPA-S technology, the equipment used (including field portable equipment) and case histories such as the analysis of shot peening treatments/near surface residual stress in variety of materials, coating assessments and heat treatment assessments will be discussed.  Use of the IPA-S technology has the potential to significantly improve the understanding at the microscale level the effects of surface coatings/treatments on the durability and fatigue life of critical components.