Modelling of the radiated field from multi-element capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers

This paper presents results from a theoretical model of the ultrasonic fields radiated by a 3x3 assembly of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) sources on the same silicon substrate. These predictions have, for the first time, been compared directly to the fields measured experimentally using a scanned miniature detector. This work indicates that there is minimal cross-coupling between source elements, and demonstrates that it is possible to predict successfully the field characteristics of various geometries of such cMUT elements, with a view to the development of future imaging systems.     

Humidity and aggregate content correction factors for air-coupled ultrasonic evaluation of concrete

This paper describes the use of non-contact ultrasound for the evaluation of concrete. Micromachined capacitance transducers are used to transmit ultrasonic longitudinal chirp signals through concrete samples using air as the coupling medium, and a pulse compression technique is then employed for measurement of time of flight through the sample. The effect on the ultrasonic wave speed of storing concrete samples, made with the same water/cement ratio, at different humidity levels is investigated. It is shown that there is a correlation between humidity and speed of sound, allowing a correction factor for humidity to be derived. A strong positive linear correlation between aggregate content and speed of sound was then observed; there was no obvious correlation between compressive strength and speed of sound. The results from the non-contact system are compared with that from a contact system, and conclusions drawn concerning coupling of energy into the samples.     

Simultaneous reconstruction of flow and temperature cross-sections in gases using acoustic tomography

This paper describes the use of air-coupled ultrasonic tomography for the simultaneous measurement of flow and temperature variations in gases. Air-coupled ultrasonic transducers were used to collect through-transmission data from a heated gas jet. A transducer pair was scanned in two-dimensional sections at an angle to the jet, and travel time and amplitude data recorded along various paths in counter-propagating directions. Parallel-beam tomographic reconstruction techniques allowed images to be formed of variations in either temperature or flow velocity. Results have been obtained using heated jets, where it has been shown that it is possible to separate the two variables successfully.     

A conical air-coupled capacitance transducer for surface imaging

This paper describes the construction and operation of an air-coupled capacitance transducer with a conical backplate. This was designed to produce a focal region over an extended distance along the transducer axis. Measurements were performed to examine both the frequency response of the transducer in pulse-echo mode, and the lateral resolution for imaging purposes. The radiated field was measured and compared to theory, and the extent of the focal region determined. Images of surface topography are presented, to illustrate the range of application of the transducer.     

The design and synthesis of cyclic renin inhibitors

A prototype cyclic renin inhibitor was designed through a combined effort between Discovery and Computer Aided Molecular Design. Synthesis of the prototype structure provided compounds which showed weak inhibitory activity of the enzyme renin.     

Studies of parallel barrier performance by acoustical modeling

An investigation is presented into the performance of parallel barrier configurations, using acoustical scale modeling. A realistic geometry is investigated, with the source being positioned over a paved roadway and the receiver over grass-covered ground. The grass-covered ground surface was properly modeled in terms of its impedance. Results were obtained for a range of barrier types, and demonstrate that frequency dependent effects are evident in barrier insertion loss data. In most cases, the barrier on the far side of the source did not significantly affect sound levels at the receiver. The most effective barrier design was found to be that of a gradual grass-covered slope up to an upright, thin barrier.     

The photoelastic visualization of ultrasonic waves in liquids

A technique is presented for the optical display of three-dimensional ultrasonic fields, involving the visualization of thin sections of the field within a layer of suitable photoelastic solid, such as polyurethane rubber. A valid display is produced with a negligible disturbance to the ultrasonic field. The technique has a low sensitivity, but has been successfully applied to the visualization of 200 kHz, continuous-wave fields in water.     

Comparison of turbulent channel and pipe flows with varying Reynolds number

Single normal hot-wire measurements of the streamwise component of velocity were taken in fully developed turbulent channel and pipe flows for matched friction Reynolds numbers ranging from 1,000 ≤ Re _τ ≤ 3,000. A total of 27 velocity profile measurements were taken with a systematic variation in the inner-scaled hot-wire sensor length l ⁺ and the hot-wire length-to-diameter ratio (l/d). It was observed that for constant l ⁺ = 22 and l/d >~200l/d \gtrsim 200, the near-wall peak in turbulence intensity rises with Reynolds number in both channels and pipes. This is in contrast to Hultmark et al. in J Fluid Mech 649:103–113, (2010), who report no growth in the near-wall peak turbulence intensity for pipe flow with l ⁺ = 20. Further, it was found that channel and pipe flows have very similar streamwise velocity statistics and energy spectra over this range of Reynolds numbers, with the only difference observed in the outer region of the mean velocity profile. Measurements where l ⁺ and l/d were systematically varied reveal that l ⁺ effects are akin to spatial filtering and that increasing sensor size will lead to attenuation of an increasingly large range of small scales. In contrast, when l/d was insufficient, the measured energy is attenuated over a very broad range of scales. These findings are in agreement with similar studies in boundary layer flows and highlight the need to carefully consider sensor and anemometry parameters when comparing flows across different geometries and when drawing conclusions regarding the Reynolds number dependency of measured turbulence statistics. With an emphasis on accuracy, measurement resolution and wall proximity, these measurements are taken at comparable Reynolds numbers to currently available DNS data sets of turbulent channel/pipe flows and are intended to serve as a database for comparison between physical and numerical experiments.     

Colossal Anisotropic Thermal Expansion in a Diazo-Functionalized Compound with Switchable Solid-State Behavior

Achieving substantial anisotropic thermal expansion (TE) in solid-state materials is challenging as most materials undergo volumetric expansion upon heating. Here, we describe colossal, anisotropic TE in crystals of an organic compound functionalized with two azo groups. Interestingly, the material exhibits distinct and switchable TE behaviors within different temperature regions. At high temperature, two-dimensional, area zero TE and colossal, positive linear TE (α=211 MK⁻¹) are attained due to dynamic motion, while at low temperature, moderate positive TE occurs in all directions. Investigation of the solid-state motion showed the change in enthalpy and entropy are quite different in the two temperature regions and solid-state NMR experiments support motion in the solid. Cycling experiments demonstrate that the solid-state motions and TE behaviors are completely reversible. These results reveal strategies for designing significant anisotropic and switchable behaviors in solid-state materials.