Abstract: A portable two-mode probe intended to be applied against a biological tissue to be examined, the probe comprising: an ultrasonic transducer (34, 63), configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the tissue and to receive ultrasonic waves reflected by the tissue, the transducer extending along a transverse axis; at least two optodes (32, 60, 62a, 62b) placed on either side of the transverse axis, such that the transducer extends between the two optodes; each optode comprising a casing (52, 61), the casing containing: a light emitter (31), configured to emit a light wave toward the tissue; and/or an optical detector (32), configured to detect a light wave scattered by the tissue; the optodes being arranged such that at least one light emitter and at least one optical detector are placed on either side of the transducer; at least one optical detector having a detection area (53, 63a, 63b) formed from a semiconductor and connected to a circuit board (54).

Abstract: A piezoelectric bimorph cantilever beam system includes a shim having a first main surface, a second main surface opposite the first main surface, a proximal end connected to an anchor, and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The system further includes a first piezoelectric layer laminated on the first main surface of the shim and a second piezoelectric layer laminated on the second main surface of the shim. A first beam stiffener is provided over the first main surface of the shim adjacent to the anchor with the first beam stiffener at least partially covering the first piezoelectric layer. A second beam stiffener is provided over the second main surface of the shim adjacent to the anchor with the second beam stiffener at least partially covering the second piezoelectric layer.

Abstract: A vibrational multi-morph piezoelectric energy harvester includes a composite shim having a parallelepiped form with a thickness dimension made smaller than width and length dimensions, and having a stiffness shifting from one extremity to the other extremity to minimize mechanical constraints developed at a clamping area; a seismic mass mounted at an end opposite to the clamping area to mechanically match the system to the surrounding vibration resonance; one or more piezoelectric layers laminated on said composite shim; and electrodes plated onto the one or more piezoelectric layers for connection to an electronic harvesting circuit, a battery, or a super capacitor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic non-destructive testing method and device for rail applications uses a plurality of phased array transducers to inspect aluminothermit weld defects located in a head portion, a web portion, an ankle portion, and a toe portion of a weld of a rail section. The method includes: scanning the head portion of the weld including: a first phased array transducer positioned above the weld and a second phased array transducer positioned a distance from the first phased array transducer to provide inclined access to the weld; and scanning the toe portion of the weld including: positioning pairs of third, fourth, and fifth phased array transducers on a surface of the toe portion, such that the pairs of third, fourth and fifth phased array transducers are disposed symmetrically with one of the pair on each side of the toe portion.

Abstract: A capacitive micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array includes an improved elementary aperture for imaging operations. The transducer can be of a linear, curved linear, annular, matrix or even single surface configuration. The elementary apertures thereof are formed by a specific arrangement of capacitive micromachined membranes (CMM) so as to exhibit ideal acoustical and electrical behavior when operated with imaging systems. The CMM arrangements can be either conventional where the element transducers of the array are uniformly shaped by predefined CMMs in a manner such as to exhibit acoustic behavior similar to a piezoelectric transducer, or can be more sophisticated, wherein each element transducer is formed by a specific combination of different CMMs (i.e., of a different size and/or shape) so as to provide the transducer with built-in acoustic apodization that can be implemented in the azimuth and/or elevation dimension of the device.