Abstract: Systems and methods process a measured ultrasonic response waveform to determine a well casing thickness and an acoustic impedance of a sealing medium surrounding the well casing. An array of simulated response waveforms corresponding to a set of candidate acoustic impedances for the sealing medium surrounding the well casing and a set of candidate well casing thicknesses is generated. A simulated response waveform from the array of simulated response waveforms is identified that best matches the measured response waveform so as to determine the sealing medium acoustic impedance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed to monitor and evaluate vehicle operator behavior. An example method includes processing, using a particularly programmed processor, image data obtained with respect to a vehicle to identify an object in the image data. The example method includes measuring, using the mobile device, a geographic location of the vehicle. The example method includes determining, using the mobile device, an operating state of the vehicle. The example method includes analyzing the object in the image data, the geographic location, and the operating state of the vehicle to determine a behavior of the vehicle. The example method includes generating a score for a driver associated with the vehicle by comparing the behavior of the vehicle with a reference behavior, the reference behavior quantified by one or more driving metrics. The example method includes outputting the score.

Abstract: A method of detecting inconsistencies in a structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the structure. A plurality of types of ultrasonic signals is formed in the structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the structure. The plurality of types of ultrasonic signals is detected to form data.

Abstract: A method for imaging a cavitation bubble includes producing a vibratory wave that induces a cavitation bubble in a medium, producing one or more detection waves directed toward the induced cavitation bubble, receiving one or more reflection waves, identifying a change in one or more characteristics of the induced cavitation bubble, and generating an image of the induced cavitation bubble using a computing device on the basis of the identified change in the one or more characteristics. The one or more received reflection waves correspond to at least one of the one or more produced detection waves reflection from the induced cavitation bubble. The identified change in one or more characteristics corresponds to the one or more received reflection waves.

Abstract: A method of detecting local material changes in a composite structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the composite structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the composite structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data is processed to identify a local frequency value for the composite structure. The local frequency value is used to determine if local material changes are present in the number of composite materials.

Abstract: A method of detecting material changes in a composite structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the composite structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the composite structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data comprises a number of ultrasonic A-scans. The data is processed to identify a plurality of frequency measurements for each of the number of ultrasonic A-scans. A frequency image is displayed using the plurality of frequency measurements. The material changes are represented in the frequency image.

Abstract: A compact and portable apparatus for measuring properties of objects utilizing a fiber optic Sagnac interferometer is enabled. The fiber optic Sagnac interferometer may be a double differential Sagnac interferometer. The interferometer core may be implemented with fiber optic components including polarization maintaining optical fiber, and by utilizing an auto-balanced avalanche photodetector. An optical switch may be incorporated to maintain relatively low average probe signal power while allowing optimal peak probe signal power. The compact and portable apparatus may be configured to measure ultrasonic vibrations, a displacement of an object surface in response to ultrasonic vibrations, and/or a vibration speed of the object surface. A wideband light source may be amplified and stabilized. A sensor head of the interferometer may incorporate a collimator adjustable to block a central portion of the projected probe beam thereby at least in part enabling in-plane and out-of-plane measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a composite structure. A pulsed laser beam having a number of properties is generated. Each of the number of properties is within a selected range. The pulsed laser beam generated by the generation laser system is directed towards a composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. A number of ultrasonic waves are formed in the composite structure when the pulsed laser beam contacts the composite structure without causing any undesired inconsistencies in the composite structure outside of selected tolerances.

Abstract: Methods and system for producing combined photoacoustic/ultrasonic image frames use a low-power narrow beam laser to direct sequential pulses along a path overlying an internal region of interest. Photoacoustic responses are received and used to generate sub-frames. Between each of the laser pulses a plurality of ultrasound pulse-echo beams are sequentially emitted towards the region of interest, and the reflections are received and used to generate ultrasound sub-frames. The photoacoustic sub-frames are combined to produce a photoacoustic frame, and the ultrasound sub-frames are combined to produce an ultrasound frame. The photoacoustic and ultrasound frames are combined to produce an image frame. The method and system are suitable for producing real-time, high-contrast video.

Abstract: Systems and methods process a measured ultrasonic response waveform to determine a well casing thickness and an acoustic impedance of a sealing medium surrounding the well casing. An array of simulated response waveforms corresponding to a set of candidate acoustic impedances for the sealing medium surrounding the well casing and a set of candidate well casing thicknesses is generated. A simulated response waveform from the array of simulated response waveforms is identified that best matches the measured response waveform so as to determine the sealing medium acoustic impedance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multicomponent glasses and their use in powdered form as an additive in personal care products such as toothpastes.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for improved generation and application of radiation force to a material. In one aspect, a system for producing an acoustic radiation force to generate displacement in a material comprises an ultrasonic transducer array, one or more processors, and memory. The memory can comprise instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to generate a push acoustic energy focused to a push focal region in the material using the ultrasonic transducer array, so as to produce the acoustic radiation force to generate displacement in the material. The push focal region can comprise a first width along a first direction transverse to a direction of propagation of the push acoustic energy greater than a second width along a second direction transverse to the direction of propagation of the push acoustic energy.

Abstract: Composites formed from a liquid core encapsulated by a plurality of nanoparticles are provided herein. The composites in certain embodiments are droplets comprising a hydrophobic dispersed phase within a hydrophilic continuous phase, thereby forming an emulsion. The composites can be used as contrast agents for imaging, therapeutic agents, and adapted for other uses according to the unique properties of the composites disclosed herein.

Abstract: Method and system for background suppression in magneto-motive photoacoustic imaging of labeled target objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multicomponent glasses and their use in powdered form as an additive in personal care products such as toothpastes.

Abstract: An ultrasound system that detects a characteristic of an ultrasound wave. The system includes a circuit member defining a sensing portion operable to be exposed to the ultrasound wave. The system also includes a current generating device that generates a current in the sensing portion of the circuit member. Furthermore, the system includes a voltage sensor that detects a voltage across the sensing portion due to the exposure to the ultrasound wave to thereby detect the characteristic of the ultrasound wave.

Abstract: A system for fertilizing a large area. The system may include a fluid bar configured to be towed by a tractor. The fluid bar may include a fluid passageway with at least one aperture and a sensor or meter in communication with the aperture. The aperture may be configured to receive a hose or other attachment distributing fluid to the ground. The system may include a tank, a pump, pump controller and a filter. The pump flow rate and the outlet flow rate may be displayed on monitoring equipment located within a cab of the tractor. The pump controller may be used by the farmer to variably adjust the fluid pressure in each aperture and consequently adjust the flow pressure of fertilizer added to the ground.

Abstract: Method and system for background suppression in magneto-motive photoacoustic imaging of labeled target objects.

Abstract: An optimized elastic modulus reconstruction procedure can estimate the nonlinear elastic properties of vascular wall from intramural strain and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurements. A noninvasive free-hand ultrasound scanning procedure is used to apply external force, comparable to the force in measuring a subject's blood pressure, to achieve higher strains by equalizing the internal arterial baseline pressure. PWV is estimated at the same location where intramural strain is measured. The reconstructed elastic modulus is optimized and the arterial elastic modulus can be determined and monitored using a simple dual elastic modulus reconstruction procedure.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment, the invention includes a method of tracking displacements between ultrasound images by calculating a coarse displacement estimate, and calculating a fine displacement estimate using images and coarse displacement estimate. In a second preferred embodiment, the invention includes a method of calculating a coarse displacement estimate from images by reducing the resolution of the images, correlating the reduced resolution images, and calculating the location of the peak of the correlation function. In a third preferred embodiment, the invention includes a method of calculating a finer displacement estimate from images by using a coarse displacement estimate with correlation processing of the images and calculating the location of the peak value of the correlation function.