Abstract: A method of non-destructive evaluation of mechanical properties of a material using ultrasonic waves in a monostatic configuration is disclosed. The method comprises remotely scanning a sample of the material without directly contacting the sample, measuring an acoustic impedance of the scanned sample, and calculating mechanical properties of the material using the acoustic impedance.

Abstract: A monitoring technique for a melting process including monitoring a melt pool produced by a heat source during the melting process, the monitoring comprising measuring ultrasonic time of flight of the melt pool via one or more ultrasonic transducers, wherein the melt pool comprises one or more metals, alloys, or a combination thereof. A system for carrying out the monitoring technique, and melting processes and systems utilizing the monitoring technique are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a road noise reducing system including a wheel rim having a barrel, a first layer of acoustic metamaterial with a first plurality of open cells mounted on the barrel, and, optionally, a second layer of acoustic metamaterial with a second plurality of open cells in contact with the first layer of acoustic metamaterial. The system optionally includes a pneumatic tire with a hollow, wherein the tire is mounted on the wheel rim such that the hollow forms a closed cavity and can incorporate additional elements including an elastomeric membrane, a noise-absorbing foam, and/or a resonator. The system has a sound transmission loss of at least 20-35 dB at frequencies of 50 Hz to 2,000 Hz and can reduce tire-road interaction noise by at least 50-70%. Also disclosed are methods of making road noise reducing wheel and tire assemblies, automobiles incorporating the same, and methods for reducing tire-road interaction noise.

Abstract: A chiral metamaterial absorber modeled after the yin-yang symbol comprising: a top yin-yang shaped Au nanoparticles (YNPs); a PMMA layer; an Au backreflector; and a bottom glass layer. In alternative embodiments, provided are devices acting as sensors for detecting a nucleotide such as a cDNA and/or a protein such as a protein from a pathogen such as a bacteria or a virus, wherein the cDNA or protein can be derived from a Coronavirus, for example, a SARS CoV-2 or COVID-19 virus. In alternative embodiments, devices acting as sensors as provided herein can also be used to detect any protein for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, wherein the protein can be derived from a blood or plasma sample, or a tissue sample, for example, a biopsy, from an individual in need thereof, for example, a human or an animal.

Abstract: Tunable polymer-based sonic structures (“TuPSS”) are made up of sonic structures and polymers. The TuPSS has three general requirements: a) The sonic structure is composed of one or materials engineered to behave as a lens, filter, cloak, or dampener; b) Stimulus sensitive polymer is incorporated into the sonic structure; and c) The actuation of the polymer tunes the acoustic behavior of the structure in a predictable manner. The tunable polymer-based sonic structures utilize stimuli-driven physical properties of the polymers in these acoustic structures to produce a stimulus driven, or tunable, sonic structure or device. The sonic structures actively modulate mechanical vibrations that propagate through the structures, but are passive in that they do not produce mechanical vibrations. The stimuli for the structures include electric, magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical, thermal, and shaking/orientation.

Abstract: An acoustic material can be electromagnetically tuned to produce alterations in its acoustical properties without physical contact. The acoustic material should contain a periodic structure and a medium that has acousto-elastical properties that can be altered through the application of electromagnetic radiation. Changes in volumetric properties such as density result in changes to the velocity at which sound passes through the material. The acoustic material can be a phononic crystal that undergoes a change in its acoustic bandgap after being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic tuning ability results in the ability to change the acoustic properties of various phononic devices without physical contact.

Abstract: Tunable polymer-based sonic structures (“TuPSS”) are made up of sonic structures and polymers. The TuPSS has three general requirements: a) The sonic structure is composed of one or materials engineered to behave as a lens, filter, cloak, or dampener; b) Stimulus sensitive polymer is incorporated into the sonic structure; and c) The actuation of the polymer tunes the acoustic behavior of the structure in a predictable manner. The tunable polymer-based sonic structures utilize stimuli-driven physical properties of the polymers in these acoustic structures to produce a stimulus driven, or tunable, sonic structure or device. The sonic structures actively modulate mechanical vibrations that propagate through the structures, but are passive in that they do not produce mechanical vibrations. The stimuli for the structures include electric, magnetic, electromagnetic, chemical, thermal, and shaking/orientation.

Abstract: An acoustic material can be electromagnetically tuned to produce alterations in its acoustical properties without physical contact. The acoustic material should contain a periodic structure and a medium that has acousto-elastical properties that can be altered through the application of electromagnetic radiation. Changes in volumetric properties such as density result in changes to the velocity at which sound passes through the material. The acoustic material can be a phononic crystal that undergoes a change in its acoustic bandgap after being subjected to electromagnetic radiation. This electromagnetic tuning ability results in the ability to change the acoustic properties of various phononic devices without physical contact.