Abstract: Immersible ultrasonic probes and methods of making are disclosed that provide nondestructive examination, imaging, and assessment of submerged targets in various liquid media including corrosive and optically opaque media at harsh conditions. In one embodiment the probe is a phased-array ultrasonic testing probe that includes an array of piezoelectric elements configured to transmit ultrasonic signals at selected frequencies through an opaque medium that enables nondestructive examination, characterization, and imaging of targets in the opaque medium.

Abstract: A system, method, and device are described for ultrasonic treatment of viscous fluids, including, e.g., crude oils that provide a variety of desired modifications. The invention includes a container having a circumvolving outer wall configured to allow passage of a quantity of a material within a passageway therein and ultrasonic transducers that attach to and circumvolve the outer wall of the container. The ultrasonic transducers transmit ultrasonic energy into material within the container at preselected frequencies thereby achieving desired effects.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simultaneous or sequential, rapid analysis of multiple samples by photoacoustic spectroscopy are disclosed. A photoacoustic spectroscopy sample array including a body having at least three recesses or affinity masses connected thereto is used in conjunction with a photoacoustic spectroscopy system. At least one acoustic detector is positioned near the recesses or affinity masses for detection of acoustic waves emitted from species of interest within the recesses or affinity masses.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simultaneous or sequential, rapid analysis of multiple samples by photoacoustic spectroscopy are disclosed. A photoacoustic spectroscopy sample array including a body having at least three recesses or affinity masses connected thereto is used in conjunction with a photoacoustic spectroscopy system. At least one acoustic detector is positioned near the recesses or affinity masses for detection of acoustic waves emitted from species of interest within the recesses or affinity masses.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for ultrasonically treating a liquid to generate a product. The apparatus is capable of treating a continuously-flowing, or intermittently-flowing, liquid along a line segment coincident with the flow path of the liquid. The apparatus has one or more ultrasonic transducers positioned asymmetrically about the line segment. The ultrasonic field encompasses the line segment and the ultrasonic energy may be concentrated along the line segment. Lysing treatments have been successfully achieved with efficiencies of greater than 99% using ultrasound at MHz frequencies without erosion or heating problems and without the need for chemical or mechanical pretreatment, or contrast agents. The present invention overcomes drawbacks of current ultrasonic treatments beyond lysing and opens up new sonochemical and sonophysical processing opportunities.

Abstract: The present invention is a transducer for photoacoustic detection having at least two piezoelectric elements wherein at least a first piezoelectric element has a first frequency and at least a second piezoelectric element has a second frequency. The improvement according to the present invention is that at least two piezoelectric elements are longitudinal elements for longitudinal waves; and the first frequency is different from said second frequency. In other words, the invention is a multi-frequency longitudinal transducer for photoacoustic detection.

Abstract: The present invention is a transducer for photoacoustic detection having at least two piezoelectric elements wherein at least a first piezoelectric element has a first frequency and at least a second piezoelectric element has a second frequency. The improvement according to the present invention is that at least two piezoelectric elements are longitudinal elements for longitudinal waves; and the first frequency is different from said second frequency. In other words, the invention is a multi-frequency longitudinal transducer for photoacoustic detection.

Abstract: The cure state of a mass of a curable material, such as a composite material formed of a fiber embedded in a curable polymeric matrix, is measured. At least two wire segments are embedded into the mass, and an ultrasonic signal is propagated through the wire segments. From the ultrasonic propagation characteristics, the cure state of the mass is determined.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for energizing an array of acoustic transducer elements to eliminate grating lobes. The apparatus includes a first subarray of N transducer elements arranged along an axis. The apparatus also includes a second subarray of N+1 transducer elements arranged along a second axis parallel to the first axis. One subarray is energized to propagate an acoustic beam having odd grating lobes with positive amplitude and the other subarray is energized to propagate an acoustic beam having odd grating lobes with negative amplitude. The two subarrays are disposed so that the radiated acoustic beams combine together and the odd grating lobes cancel each other.

Abstract: A linear transducer array for transmitting and receiving acoustic waves in both pulse-echo and holographic modes of operation. For pulse-echo acoustic imaging the array includes a linear subarray of transmitting transducer elements disposed in a plane along a longitudinal axis. Each transmitting element has an elongate shape and a principal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the array. For holographic imaging the apparatus further includes a removable mechanical shutter for blocking a predetermined portion of the principal axis of each of the transmitting elements so that a dispersive acoustic beam can be generated. The array also includes a linear subarray of receiving transducer elements coplanar with the transmitting subarray and disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis. The subarray of receiving elements is used to detect the reflected acoustic waves for both holographic and pulse-echo imaging.