Abstract: Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to ZL1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of ZL1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2)?ZL1?1.25 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2), where Zp is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Zg is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: Testing devices for testing a swab sample, the devices including a swab chamber configured to receive the swab sample; an elution source configured to supply an eluent to the swab chamber, wherein the eluent is a liquid that interacts with the swab sample to produce an eluate indicative of a property of the swab sample; a discard channel configured to receive a first portion of the eluate from the swab chamber to be discarded; an analysis channel configured to receive a second portion of the eluate from the swab chamber to be processed; and a channel selector configured to selectively direct the first portion into the discard channel and the second portion into the analysis channel.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: Systems for nucleic acid amplification testing are provided. The systems comprise a consumable amplification module and a reader module for receiving the amplification module. The amplification module comprises: a reactor vessel for containing a test sample; a heater comprising a heater element in thermal contact with the reactor vessel and controllable to add heat to the reactor vessel so as to heat the test sample; a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of at least one of the heater element and the test sample; and a heat sink or a heat spreader in thermal contact with the heater. The reader module comprises: a heater controller for selectively controlling the heater element between an on condition and an off condition in response to the determined temperature of the heater element and/or test sample; and an electrical heater interface for connecting the heater controller and the heater.

Abstract: A heater for thermocycling to carry out PCR amplification. The heater comprises: a thermal diffusion layer having a reaction surface for transferring heat to a reaction cell; a heater track support layer having a back surface for cooling; an electrically conductive main heater track supported between the heater track support layer and the thermal diffusion layer; and four-terminal electrical contacts to the main heater track adapted to provide electrical connection for driving the main heater track and simultaneously sensing a resistance of the main heater track. The lateral dimensions of the reaction surface are greater than a thickness H of the heater, such that reaction surface area A>H2.

Abstract: Bending mode transducers are provided including a substrate made of a high density material, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. A piezoelectric layer is provided on the first surface of the substrate and at least one patterned electrode is provided on the piezoelectric layer. A mounting block is on the at least one patterned electrode at least one electrical contact point is provided on the first surface of the substrate remote from the at least one patterned electrode. Related devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: A pump comprising a side wall closed at each end by an end wall forming a cavity for, in use, containing a fluid, one or more actuators each operatively associated with one or more of the end walls to cause an oscillatory motion of the associated end wall(s) whereby, in use, these axial oscillations of the end wall(s) drive substantially radial oscillations of the fluid pressure in the cavity, two or more apertures in the cavity, a valve disposed in at least one of the apertures, wherein the actuator(s) is arranged to be non-axisymmetric in use such that, in use, a pressure oscillation with at least one nodal diameter is generated within the cavity.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to ZL1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of ZL1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2)?ZL1?1.25 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2), where Zp is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Zg is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to ZL1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of ZL1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2)?ZL1?1.25 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2), where Zp is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Zg is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

Abstract: Transducers are provided including a piezoelectric block having first and second opposing surfaces; a first non-piezoelectric layer on the first surface of the piezoelectric block, the first layer including a low density material having a first thickness; and a second non-piezoelectric layer on the second surface of the piezoelectric block, the second layer including a high density material having a second thickness, the second thickness being different from the first thickness and being at least two times the first thickness. Related devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Transducers are provided including a piezoelectric block having first and second opposing surfaces; a first conductive flexible support layer on the first surface of the piezoelectric block, the first flexible support layer having a first thickness; and a second flexible support layer on the second surface of the piezoelectric block, the second flexible support layer having a second thickness. Related devices are also provided.

Abstract: An acoustic matching structure is used to increase the power radiated from a transducing element with a higher impedance into a surrounding acoustic medium with a lower acoustic impedance. The acoustic matching structure consists of a thin, substantially planar cavity bounded by a two end walls and a side wall. The end walls of the cavity are formed by a blocking plate wall and a transducing element wall separated by a short distance (less than one quarter of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium at the operating frequency). The end walls and side wall bound a cavity with diameter approximately equal to half of the wavelength of acoustic waves in the surrounding medium. In operation, a transducing element generates acoustic oscillations in the fluid in the cavity.

Abstract: A fluid pump comprising one or two cavities which, in use, contains a fluid to be pumped, the chamber or chambers having a substantially cylindrical shape bounded by first and second end walls and a side wall; an actuator which, in use, causes oscillatory motion of the first end wall(s) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first end wall(s); and whereby, in use, these axial oscillations of the end walls drive radial oscillations of the fluid pressure in the main cavity; and wherein an isolator forms at least a portion of the first end wall between the actuator and the side wall and includes conductive tracks, wherein electrical connection is made to the actuator via the conductive tracks included within the isolator.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices include a transducer having a piezoelectric element therein that may operate as an acoustic signal receiving surface and/or an acoustic signal generating surface. At least one acoustic matching layer is provided on the piezoelectric element. This at least one acoustic matching layer may be configured as a composite of N acoustic matching layers, with a first of the N acoustic matching layers contacting the primary surface of the piezoelectric element. This first acoustic matching layer may have an acoustic impedance equivalent to ZL1, where N is a positive integer greater than zero. In some embodiments of the invention, the magnitude of ZL1 may be defined as: 0.75 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2)?ZL1?1.25 ((Zp)N+1(Zg))1/(N+2), where Zp is the acoustic impedance of the piezoelectric element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT)) and Zg is the acoustic impedance of a compatible gas.

Abstract: Bending mode transducers are provided including a substrate made of a high density material, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, opposite the first surface. A piezoelectric layer is provided on the first surface of the substrate and at least one patterned electrode is provided on the piezoelectric layer. A mounting block is on the at least one patterned electrode at least one electrical contact point is provided on the first surface of the substrate remote from the at least one patterned electrode. Related devices and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Transducers are provided including a piezoelectric block having first and second opposing surfaces; a first conductive flexible support layer on the first surface of the piezoelectric block, the first flexible support layer having a first thickness; and a second flexible support layer on the second surface of the piezoelectric block, the second flexible support layer having a second thickness. Related devices are also provided.