Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for versatile acoustic tweezer trapping and transport configurations. Examples can use ultrasound for contact-free, biocompatible, and precise manipulation of particles from millimeter to sub-micrometer scale along a narrow and complex path. Examples include spatially complex particle trapping and manipulation inside a boundary-free chamber using a single pair of sources and a shadow waveguide. The shadow waveguide structure can be disposed just outside a microfluidic chamber to guide and control the acoustic wave fields inside the chamber. The shadow waveguide can create a tightly confined, spatially complex acoustic field inside the chamber without an interior structure that could interfere with net flow or transport.

Abstract: Methods of measuring a thickness of a material are disclosed. An oscillating signal at a measurement frequency is applied to a circuit including an inductive component and a capacitive component provided using a pair of capacitive sensor electrodes adjacent the material. The measurement frequency is less than a resonant frequency of the circuit, and the resonant frequency is based on the inductive component and the capacitive component. Information regarding a value of a measured parameter is generated based on applying the oscillating signal at the measurement frequency to the circuit. A value of the measured parameter is related to the thickness of the material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a controlled sound field. In one example, the system and method perform or include receiving a sound wave emitted from a sound source; determining, with an electronic processor, a pattern of at least one of an amplitude change and a phase change necessary to create a desired sound field using the sound wave; determining, with the electronic processor, a plurality of passive sound-modulating elements needed to generate the pattern of at least one of the amplitude change and the phase change; and constructing the plurality of sound-modulating elements to generate the controlled sound field.

Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems having sound forming lenses and sound amplitude detectors and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, an acoustic imaging system includes a sound forming lens configured to focus sound waves received from a plurality of directions onto respective predetermined areas. The acoustic imaging system also includes sound amplitude detectors positioned to receive the focused sound waves at the predetermined areas and to output signals indicative of the directions of receipt of the sound waves by the sound forming lens.

Abstract: Methods of measuring a thickness of a material are disclosed. An oscillating signal at a measurement frequency is applied to a circuit including an inductive component and a capacitive component provided using a pair of capacitive sensor electrodes adjacent the material. The measurement frequency is less than a resonant frequency of the circuit, and the resonant frequency is based on the inductive component and the capacitive component. Information regarding a value of a measured parameter is generated based on applying the oscillating signal at the measurement frequency to the circuit. A value of the measured parameter is related to the thickness of the material.

Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems having sound forming lenses and sound amplitude detectors and associated methods are disclosed herein. According to an aspect, an acoustic imaging system includes a sound forming lens configured to focus sound waves received from a plurality of directions onto respective predetermined areas. The acoustic imaging system also includes sound amplitude detectors positioned to receive the focused sound waves at the predetermined areas and to output signals indicative of the directions of receipt of the sound waves by the sound forming lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a controlled sound field. In one example, the system and method perform or include receiving a sound wave emitted from a sound source; determining, with an electronic processor, a pattern of at least one of an amplitude change and a phase change necessary to create a desired sound field using the sound wave; determining, with the electronic processor, a plurality of passive sound-modulating elements needed to generate the pattern of at least one of the amplitude change and the phase change; and constructing the plurality of sound-modulating elements to generate the controlled sound field.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system may include a sheet of conductive material with a plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material. Each of the plurality of aperture antenna elements is capable of sending and receiving electromagnetic energy. The phased array antenna system may also include a wide angle impedance match (WAIM) layer of material disposed over the plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material. The WAIM layer of material includes a plurality of metamaterial particles. The plurality of metamaterial particles are selected and arranged to minimize return loss and to optimize an impedance match between the phased array antenna system and free space to permit scanning of the phased array antenna system up to a predetermined angle in elevation.

Abstract: Metamaterial particles having active electronic components are disclosed. According to one aspect, a metamaterial particle in accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein can include a field sensing element adapted to sense a first field and adapted to produce a sensed field signal representative of the first field in response to sensing the first field. Further, the metamaterial particle can include an active electronic component adapted to receive the sensed field signal and adapted to produce a drive signal based on the sensed field signal. A field generating element can be adapted to receive the drive signal and adapted to produce a second field based on the drive signal.

Abstract: A phased array antenna system may include a sheet of conductive material with a plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material. Each of the plurality of aperture antenna elements is capable of sending and receiving electromagnetic energy. The phased array antenna system may also include a wide angle impedance match (WAIM) layer of material disposed over the plurality of aperture antenna elements formed in the sheet of conductive material. The WAIM layer of material includes a plurality of metamaterial particles. The plurality of metamaterial particles are selected and arranged to minimize return loss and to optimize an impedance match between the phased array antenna system and free space to permit scanning of the phased array antenna system up to a predetermined angle in elevation.