Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107919
Zhaokang Lei , Fan Li , Yuting Cao , Xinran Dong , Yaorong Wu , Chenghui Wang , Shi Chen , Jing Hu , Zhuangzhi Shen , Runyang Mo , Jianzhong Guo , Shuyu Lin
A novel method is proposed to predict acoustic pressure threshold in cavitation fields by utilizing image processing techniques and parametric resampling technique. Cavitation structure within a water layer of depth λ/4 inside a transparent container was recorded by a high-speed camera, and it was found that a hemispherical bubble cloud attached to the container’s solid bottom can affect the morphology of the branched bubble structure beneath the water surface. Due to bubble interactions, the two may bridge together. According to the sequence of binarized image, the structure evolution can be quantitatively predicted. As bubbles coalesce, some large bubbles exist within the bubble clouds. By applying the P-PRTF transform, cavitation noise can be separated from hydrophone detection signals, enabling prediction of the primary acoustic pressure thresholds during cavitation structure bridging: 96.3 kPa at 28 kHz and 110.1 kPa at 40 kHz. It should be noted that more potential factors, such as acoustic frequency, pressure, and liquid properties can influence the merge and separation of the two bubble clusters. The prediction thresholds were also verified through theoretical analysis of the coupled models of bubble oscillations. It reveals that the occurrence of such cavitation events depends on the chaotic threshold. Large hemispherical clusters exhibit a stronger attraction on the floating branched structures, thereby enhancing structural stability. However, increased spacing between the two clusters weakens the vertical component of their interaction force, leading to reduced stability, which closely matches experimental observations. The presented methodology and results will be helpful for further investigations of cavitation erosion prevention.
{"title":"Acoustic pressure threshold prediction in cavitation field based on image and signal processing technique","authors":"Zhaokang Lei , Fan Li , Yuting Cao , Xinran Dong , Yaorong Wu , Chenghui Wang , Shi Chen , Jing Hu , Zhuangzhi Shen , Runyang Mo , Jianzhong Guo , Shuyu Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107919","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107919","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A novel method is proposed to predict acoustic pressure threshold in cavitation fields by utilizing image processing techniques and parametric resampling technique. Cavitation structure within a water layer of depth <em>λ</em>/4 inside a transparent container was recorded by a high-speed camera, and it was found that a hemispherical bubble cloud attached to the container’s solid bottom can affect the morphology of the branched bubble structure beneath the water surface. Due to bubble interactions, the two may bridge together. According to the sequence of binarized image, the structure evolution can be quantitatively predicted. As bubbles coalesce, some large bubbles exist within the bubble clouds. By applying the P-PRTF transform, cavitation noise can be separated from hydrophone detection signals, enabling prediction of the primary acoustic pressure thresholds during cavitation structure bridging: 96.3 kPa at 28 kHz and 110.1 kPa at 40 kHz. It should be noted that more potential factors, such as acoustic frequency, pressure, and liquid properties can influence the merge and separation of the two bubble clusters. The prediction thresholds were also verified through theoretical analysis of the coupled models of bubble oscillations. It reveals that the occurrence of such cavitation events depends on the chaotic threshold. Large hemispherical clusters exhibit a stronger attraction on the floating branched structures, thereby enhancing structural stability. However, increased spacing between the two clusters weakens the vertical component of their interaction force, leading to reduced stability, which closely matches experimental observations. The presented methodology and results will be helpful for further investigations of cavitation erosion prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107919"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145828562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107945
Andrea Orthodoxou, Margaret Lucas, Helen Mulvana
Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is approved to promote healing in non-union bone fractures in the UK (NICE) and USA (FDA). Despite extensive in vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical data indicating efficacy, patient outcomes remain inconsistent. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which ultrasound vibrations influence cellular behaviour is critical to optimising LIPUS for bone repair and to enable greater patient benefit. The literature offers a broad experimental base, but collective insights are hindered by two key issues: inadequate reporting of ultrasound exposure conditions, often overlooking reflections and standing waves, and reliance on spatial average temporal average intensity (ISATA) as the sole metric of ultrasound dose. While ISATA informs safety thresholds (TI, MI), it fails to describe the specific acoustic stimuli cells experience, masking variations in pressure, pulse repetition, and duty cycle.
To identify the ultrasound parameters that are most important for eliciting mechano-sensing responses in osteoblast-like cells, we systematically evaluated a 1 MHz pulsed field in a controlled cell culture environment. Immunofluorescence analysis of actin and vinculin were used to assess cytoskeletal changes in response to fully described LIPUS exposures. We identified a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) upper limit of 1 kHz, beyond which LIPUS lost efficacy in enhancing mechano-sensing. Optimal response occurred at 20 % duty cycle, 160 kPa, and 60 mW/cm2 ISATA, challenging the currently accepted standard and parameters used to operate existing clinical devices (1 MHz, 30 mW/cm2 ISATA). Our data demonstrate the necessity to report fully the parameters that describe the ultrasound dose experienced by cells to predict which conditions lead to an upregulation in mechano-sensing and that ISATA alone is not an adequate measure unless all other parameters are known and fixed. Finally, since PRF is determinant of achieving a cellular response, we reaffirm the already accepted understanding that pulsed exposures are critical to a cellular ability to detect and/or respond to ultrasound in a way that is useful for fracture repair.
{"title":"Pressure and not spatial average temporal average intensity governs mechanosensitive responses of osteoblast-like cells exposed to low intensity pulsed ultrasound","authors":"Andrea Orthodoxou, Margaret Lucas, Helen Mulvana","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107945","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107945","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is approved to promote healing in non-union bone fractures in the UK (NICE) and USA (FDA). Despite extensive <em>in vitro</em>, pre-clinical, and clinical data indicating efficacy, patient outcomes remain inconsistent. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which ultrasound vibrations influence cellular behaviour is critical to optimising LIPUS for bone repair and to enable greater patient benefit. The literature offers a broad experimental base, but collective insights are hindered by two key issues: inadequate reporting of ultrasound exposure conditions, often overlooking reflections and standing waves, and reliance on spatial average temporal average intensity (I<sub>SATA</sub>) as the sole metric of ultrasound dose. While I<sub>SATA</sub> informs safety thresholds (TI, MI), it fails to describe the specific acoustic stimuli cells experience, masking variations in pressure, pulse repetition, and duty cycle.</div><div>To identify the ultrasound parameters that are most important for eliciting mechano-sensing responses in osteoblast-like cells, we systematically evaluated a 1 MHz pulsed field in a controlled cell culture environment. Immunofluorescence analysis of actin and vinculin were used to assess cytoskeletal changes in response to fully described LIPUS exposures. We identified a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) upper limit of 1 kHz, beyond which LIPUS lost efficacy in enhancing mechano-sensing. Optimal response occurred at 20 % duty cycle, 160 kPa, and 60 mW/cm<sup>2</sup> I<sub>SATA</sub>, challenging the currently accepted standard and parameters used to operate existing clinical devices (1 MHz, 30 mW/cm<sup>2</sup> I<sub>SATA</sub>). Our data demonstrate the necessity to report fully the parameters that describe the ultrasound dose experienced by cells to predict which conditions lead to an upregulation in mechano-sensing and that I<sub>SATA</sub> alone is not an adequate measure unless all other parameters are known and fixed. Finally, since PRF is determinant of achieving a cellular response, we reaffirm the already accepted understanding that pulsed exposures are critical to a cellular ability to detect and/or respond to ultrasound in a way that is useful for fracture repair.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107945"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107935
Vincent Dorval , Nicolas Leymarie , Alexandre Imperiale , Edouard Demaldent , Pierre-Emile Lhuillier
Texture and grain elongation can occur in metallic microstructures due to various manufacturing processes, such as welding or rolling deformation. These microstructural characteristics generally lead to anisotropic macroscopic properties to which ultrasonic waves are particularly sensitive. It is therefore interesting to predict not only the speed but also the attenuation of these waves as a function of these microstructural properties. Finite Element Method has been applied to that aim in various works, mainly in the case of isotropic microstructures. Anisotropic microstructures raise specific challenges, including the random generation of samples, the handling of boundary effects, and the analysis of anisotropic modes. This communication details a method that addresses them. Results are presented for microstructures with elongation, texture, or both. Comparisons to analytical models are also provided.
{"title":"Numerical characterization of quasi-longitudinal and quasi-shear waves in anisotropic polycrystalline microstructures with elongation and texture","authors":"Vincent Dorval , Nicolas Leymarie , Alexandre Imperiale , Edouard Demaldent , Pierre-Emile Lhuillier","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107935","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107935","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Texture and grain elongation can occur in metallic microstructures due to various manufacturing processes, such as welding or rolling deformation. These microstructural characteristics generally lead to anisotropic macroscopic properties to which ultrasonic waves are particularly sensitive. It is therefore interesting to predict not only the speed but also the attenuation of these waves as a function of these microstructural properties. Finite Element Method has been applied to that aim in various works, mainly in the case of isotropic microstructures. Anisotropic microstructures raise specific challenges, including the random generation of samples, the handling of boundary effects, and the analysis of anisotropic modes. This communication details a method that addresses them. Results are presented for microstructures with elongation, texture, or both. Comparisons to analytical models are also provided.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107935"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145912985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
When a longitudinal ultrasound pulse impinges on a particle suspension with the particle diameter on the order of the wavelength, resonant scattering of the ultrasound occurs, resulting in an inherent frequency dependence of ultrasound attenuation. Since ultrasound is an elastic wave that transmits deformation of material, the attenuation coefficient and phase velocity are strongly correlated with the mechanical properties of the particles. It is known that a peak is observed in the frequency spectrum of the attenuation coefficient, from which the elastic modulus and viscous loss of the particles can be quantified at a single particle level. This method may be applicable not only for uniform spherical particles with uniform density, but also for particle assemblies called supraballs or supraparticles. Among the various factors, the packing fraction of particle and the connectivity between particles may contribute to the stiffness of supraball. The packing factor was then determined from the sedimentation velocity and density obtained by dynamic ultrasound scattering measurements, while particle elasticity was evaluated from the peak of the frequency spectrum of the attenuation coefficient obtained by ultrasonic spectroscopy measurements. To validate the ultrasonic elasticity analysis, an indentation analysis of a single dried particle was performed using a commercially available dynamic hardness tester.
{"title":"Shear elasticity analysis of supraball by resonant scattering using longitudinal ultrasonic pulses","authors":"Mayu Hiromoto , Mayuko Hirano , Valentin Leroy , Tomohisa Norisuye","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107946","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107946","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When a longitudinal ultrasound pulse impinges on a particle suspension with the particle diameter on the order of the wavelength, resonant scattering of the ultrasound occurs, resulting in an inherent frequency dependence of ultrasound attenuation. Since ultrasound is an elastic wave that transmits deformation of material, the attenuation coefficient and phase velocity are strongly correlated with the mechanical properties of the particles. It is known that a peak is observed in the frequency spectrum of the attenuation coefficient, from which the elastic modulus and viscous loss of the particles can be quantified at a single particle level. This method may be applicable not only for uniform spherical particles with uniform density, but also for particle assemblies called supraballs or supraparticles. Among the various factors, the packing fraction of particle and the connectivity between particles may contribute to the stiffness of supraball. The packing factor was then determined from the sedimentation velocity and density obtained by dynamic ultrasound scattering measurements, while particle elasticity was evaluated from the peak of the frequency spectrum of the attenuation coefficient obtained by ultrasonic spectroscopy measurements. To validate the ultrasonic elasticity analysis, an indentation analysis of a single dried particle was performed using a commercially available dynamic hardness tester.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107946"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107950
Wu Wenjun, Wu Wentao, Wang Li, Su Yonghang, Zhang Ben
Small-bore tubes, which typically serve as critical industrial components, are challenging to inspect due to their inaccessibility and small dimensions. This paper investigates inspections of small-bore tubes with bends using the flexural guided-wave mode F(1,1). A magnetostrictive patch transducer for F(1,1) excitation is proposed, sharing the same architecture as conventional T(0,1) transducers but driven by opposite alternating currents. To address the challenge arising from the significant curvature of small-bore tubes when exciting pure F(1,1) modes, magnetic field simulations were performed to optimize the transducer’s magnetic field uniformity and directivity. The wave motion of F(1,1) is thoroughly studied. It is found that the F(1,1) mode has two focusing regions separated by 90 degrees in circumstance, one for the circumferential vibration focus and the other for the radial vibration focus. Then, the scattering of the F(1,1) mode with varying circumferential or radial focusing positions as it propagates through the bend is numerically analyzed. It is found that when the F(1,1) mode’s circumferential displacement focus aligns with the outward bend, it converts to the T(0,1) mode with each passage through the bend, with no L(0,1) mode generated, and the wave energy at the outward bend is enhanced. When the F(1,1) mode’s radial displacement focus aligns with the outward bend, it converts to the L(0,1) mode with no T(0,1) mode observed, and the wave energy is further focused at the inward bend. When the F(1,1) mode’s circumferential displacement focus is located 45° from the outward bend, both the T(0,1) and L(0,1) modes are scattered. Experiments were conducted to validate the F(1,1) excitation and the numerical simulation results for F(1,1) bend scattering. Furthermore, F(1,1)-based inspections of bent tubes were conducted to experimentally assess the bend scattering behavior and defect detectability. The weak reflections of the F(1,1) mode from the bend itself do not mask flaw signals, thereby enabling the effective detection of crack-like defects with a 6% cross-sectional area loss. The F(1,1) mode with its circumferential displacement focus aligned with the outward bend is more sensitive to flaws located at the outward bend, whereas the F(1,1) mode with its radial displacement focus aligned with the outward bend is more sensitive to flaws located at the inward bend, in good agreement with the simulation results.
{"title":"Flexural-guided-wave mode F(1,1) based inspections for small-bore tubes with bends","authors":"Wu Wenjun, Wu Wentao, Wang Li, Su Yonghang, Zhang Ben","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107950","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107950","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Small-bore tubes, which typically serve as critical industrial components, are challenging to inspect due to their inaccessibility and small dimensions. This paper investigates inspections of small-bore tubes with bends using the flexural guided-wave mode F(1,1). A magnetostrictive patch transducer for F(1,1) excitation is proposed, sharing the same architecture as conventional T(0,1) transducers but driven by opposite alternating currents. To address the challenge arising from the significant curvature of small-bore tubes when exciting pure F(1,1) modes, magnetic field simulations were performed to optimize the transducer’s magnetic field uniformity and directivity. The wave motion of F(1,1) is thoroughly studied. It is found that the F(1,1) mode has two focusing regions separated by 90 degrees in circumstance, one for the circumferential vibration focus and the other for the radial vibration focus. Then, the scattering of the F(1,1) mode with varying circumferential or radial focusing positions as it propagates through the bend is numerically analyzed. It is found that when the F(1,1) mode’s circumferential displacement focus aligns with the outward bend, it converts to the T(0,1) mode with each passage through the bend, with no L(0,1) mode generated, and the wave energy at the outward bend is enhanced. When the F(1,1) mode’s radial displacement focus aligns with the outward bend, it converts to the L(0,1) mode with no T(0,1) mode observed, and the wave energy is further focused at the inward bend. When the F(1,1) mode’s circumferential displacement focus is located 45° from the outward bend, both the T(0,1) and L(0,1) modes are scattered. Experiments were conducted to validate the F(1,1) excitation and the numerical simulation results for F(1,1) bend scattering. Furthermore, F(1,1)-based inspections of bent tubes were conducted to experimentally assess the bend scattering behavior and defect detectability. The weak reflections of the F(1,1) mode from the bend itself do not mask flaw signals, thereby enabling the effective detection of crack-like defects with a 6% cross-sectional area loss. The F(1,1) mode with its circumferential displacement focus aligned with the outward bend is more sensitive to flaws located at the outward bend, whereas the F(1,1) mode with its radial displacement focus aligned with the outward bend is more sensitive to flaws located at the inward bend, in good agreement with the simulation results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107950"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-18DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107931
Jiangwan He , Mehdi Serati , Martin Veidt , Mitch Dunn
Nonlinear ultrasonic testing (NLUT) techniques have been extensively investigated for their potential to assess damage states and monitor damage evolution. Among these, the Scaling Subtraction Method (SSM) offers a state-of-the-art approach by capturing the strain-dependent nonlinear behaviour of the testing material under low- and high-voltage excitations. This study extends the application of SSM by enabling continuous monitoring and rigorously quantifying intrinsic system nonlinearity. The influence of excitation waveform, excitation frequency and excitation voltage on the nonlinearity indicator was also examined. A series of experiments were performed to isolate nonlinear contributions from waveform generators, power amplifiers, transducers and the material of interest. Results demonstrate that the proposed testing parameters and testing system result in a negligible nonlinearity compared to the substantial nonlinearity measured in an alternative nonlinear testing system and in marble. Continuous ultrasonic excitation over 900 s, conducted in the absence of external mechanical loading, revealed a time-dependent increase in the nonlinearity indicator for marble specimens, while the ultrasonic system itself remained stable throughout the prolonged excitation. These findings highlight the importance of quantifying intrinsic system nonlinearity and optimising excitation parameters for accurate nonlinearity evaluation. Continuous SSM monitoring of marble during uniaxial loading demonstrated the method’s high sensitivity and resolution, clearly capturing progressive changes in nonlinearity with increasing stress. Taken together, these results establish SSM as a robust and practical tool for real-time monitoring of damage evolution in rock-like materials.
{"title":"Evaluating intrinsic system nonlinearities in ultrasonic scaling subtraction method for reliable rock damage monitoring","authors":"Jiangwan He , Mehdi Serati , Martin Veidt , Mitch Dunn","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107931","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107931","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nonlinear ultrasonic testing (NLUT) techniques have been extensively investigated for their potential to assess damage states and monitor damage evolution. Among these, the Scaling Subtraction Method (SSM) offers a state-of-the-art approach by capturing the strain-dependent nonlinear behaviour of the testing material under low- and high-voltage excitations. This study extends the application of SSM by enabling continuous monitoring and rigorously quantifying intrinsic system nonlinearity. The influence of excitation waveform, excitation frequency and excitation voltage on the nonlinearity indicator was also examined. A series of experiments were performed to isolate nonlinear contributions from waveform generators, power amplifiers, transducers and the material of interest. Results demonstrate that the proposed testing parameters and testing system result in a negligible nonlinearity compared to the substantial nonlinearity measured in an alternative nonlinear testing system and in marble. Continuous ultrasonic excitation over 900 s, conducted in the absence of external mechanical loading, revealed a time-dependent increase in the nonlinearity indicator for marble specimens, while the ultrasonic system itself remained stable throughout the prolonged excitation. These findings highlight the importance of quantifying intrinsic system nonlinearity and optimising excitation parameters for accurate nonlinearity evaluation. Continuous SSM monitoring of marble during uniaxial loading demonstrated the method’s high sensitivity and resolution, clearly capturing progressive changes in nonlinearity with increasing stress. Taken together, these results establish SSM as a robust and practical tool for real-time monitoring of damage evolution in rock-like materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107931"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145801964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107951
Yiwei Liu , Meng Wang , Tribikram Kundu , Shili Chen , Jian Li , Zhoumo Zeng , Yang Liu
Ultrasonic guided waves are widely used for structural health monitoring, while traditional stress detection methods based on weak nonlinear elasticity theory suffer from limited sensitivity. This study presents a numerical investigation using the highly sensitive Sideband Peak Count-index (SPC-I) technique for improved stress assessment in plates. A finite element (FE) model is developed to analyze the transient evolution of higher-order harmonics under various uniaxial stress states. This study explores the influence of both stress magnitude and its orientation relative to the wave propagation direction, establishing a quantitative link to the acoustic nonlinear parameter, . The results demonstrate that SPC-I is a robust indicator, sensitive not only to the stress magnitude but also to its orientation. Notably, the proposed method significantly enhances measurement sensitivity. Experimental validation confirms that SPC-I values exhibit a pronounced change with stress variations, representing a marked improvement over conventional ultrasonic techniques. The findings establish a theoretical framework for ultrasonic stress detection and provide essential technical guidance for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications.
{"title":"Effective stress monitoring in structures using sideband peak count-index of nonlinear guided waves","authors":"Yiwei Liu , Meng Wang , Tribikram Kundu , Shili Chen , Jian Li , Zhoumo Zeng , Yang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107951","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107951","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ultrasonic guided waves are widely used for structural health monitoring, while traditional stress detection methods based on weak nonlinear elasticity theory suffer from limited sensitivity. This study presents a numerical investigation using the highly sensitive Sideband Peak Count-index (SPC-I) technique for improved stress assessment in plates. A finite element (FE) model is developed to analyze the transient evolution of higher-order harmonics under various uniaxial stress states. This study explores the influence of both stress magnitude and its orientation relative to the wave propagation direction, establishing a quantitative link to the acoustic nonlinear parameter, <span><math><mi>β</mi></math></span>. The results demonstrate that SPC-I is a robust indicator, sensitive not only to the stress magnitude but also to its orientation. Notably, the proposed method significantly enhances measurement sensitivity. Experimental validation confirms that SPC-I values exhibit a pronounced change with stress variations, representing a marked improvement over conventional ultrasonic techniques. The findings establish a theoretical framework for ultrasonic stress detection and provide essential technical guidance for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107951"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145918477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107928
Zhiyuan Ma , Tianxu Zhang , Jiwei Yang , Li Lin
The presence of heterogeneous phases at the coating/substrate interface can weaken interface stiffness, degrading bonding quality and potentially causing failure. Therefore, quantitatively assessing the interface stiffness of the coated parts through non-destructive testing is crucial for evaluating coating quality. The existing ultrasonic reflection coefficient amplitude spectrum (URCAS) and ultrasonic reflection coefficient phase spectrum (URCPS) are easily affected by reference signals and system phases. A new method for integrated measurement of interface stiffness, sound velocity, and acoustic impedance based on constructed ultrasonic reflection phase derivative spectrum (URPDS) is proposed. Sensitivity analysis identifies the high-sensitivity range of URPDS, enhancing accuracy. URPDS is combined with cross-correlation analysis and a genetic algorithm for simultaneous inversion. Experiments and simulations on a polyurethane-coated aluminum alloy sample with a coating thickness of about 45 μm showed relative errors of 2.95 % for interface stiffness, 1.07 % for sound velocity, and 2.17 % for acoustic impedance in the simulations, while the experiments showed relative errors of 4.58 % for sound velocity and 6.96 % for acoustic impedance. The inverted interface stiffness from the experiments correlates positively with coating adhesion strength measured by cross-cut testing.
{"title":"Simultaneous measurement of coating/substrate interface stiffness, sound velocity, and acoustic impedance based on ultrasonic reflection phase derivative spectrum","authors":"Zhiyuan Ma , Tianxu Zhang , Jiwei Yang , Li Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107928","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107928","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The presence of heterogeneous phases at the coating/substrate interface can weaken interface stiffness, degrading bonding quality and potentially causing failure. Therefore, quantitatively assessing the interface stiffness of the coated parts through non-destructive testing is crucial for evaluating coating quality. The existing ultrasonic reflection coefficient amplitude spectrum (URCAS) and ultrasonic reflection coefficient phase spectrum (URCPS) are easily affected by reference signals and system phases. A new method for integrated measurement of interface stiffness, sound velocity, and acoustic impedance based on constructed ultrasonic reflection phase derivative spectrum (URPDS) is proposed. Sensitivity analysis identifies the high-sensitivity range of URPDS, enhancing accuracy. URPDS is combined with cross-correlation analysis and a genetic algorithm for simultaneous inversion. Experiments and simulations on a polyurethane-coated aluminum alloy sample with a coating thickness of about 45 μm showed relative errors of 2.95 % for interface stiffness, 1.07 % for sound velocity, and 2.17 % for acoustic impedance in the simulations, while the experiments showed relative errors of 4.58 % for sound velocity and 6.96 % for acoustic impedance. The inverted interface stiffness from the experiments correlates positively with coating adhesion strength measured by cross-cut testing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107928"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145842388","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-12-20DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107930
Yixuan Zhou , Jianfa Lin , Zunyu Wang , Haoran Wang , Shuying Li , Wei Li , Qiaosheng Pan
This paper presents a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) miniature ultrasonic motor that outputs 2-DOF linear motion by using only a hollow rectangular metal block. The motion in the horizontal x direction was realized through the L1-B2xoz mode formed by coupling the first-order longitudinal (L1) vibration and the second-order bending (B2xoz) vibration. Moreover, the motion in the horizontal y direction was realized through the B2xoy-B2xoz mode formed by coupling the second-order bending (B2xoz) vibration and the second-order bending (B2xoy) vibration. An ultrasonic motor was designed, and its 2-DOF driving principle was analyzed. Then, the motor was simulated and analyzed to verify the described principle. Finally, the prototype of the ultrasonic motor with 3.8 × 4.2 × 14.5 mm dimensions and its experimental test device were fabricated, and the output characteristics of the motor were tested. Results show that at a voltage of 90 Vpp and a driving frequency of 104 kHz, the maximum no-load speeds of the motor in the horizontal x and y directions are 40.13 and 80.63 mm/s, respectively. Moreover, the maximum output forces in the horizontal and vertical directions are 0.9 and 1.55 N, respectively. The simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed 2-DOF ultrasonic motor.
{"title":"A two-degree-of-freedom miniature ultrasonic motor driven by two modes coupled by three kinds of vibrations","authors":"Yixuan Zhou , Jianfa Lin , Zunyu Wang , Haoran Wang , Shuying Li , Wei Li , Qiaosheng Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107930","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2025.107930","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper presents a two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF) miniature ultrasonic motor that outputs 2-DOF linear motion by using only a hollow rectangular metal block. The motion in the horizontal x direction was realized through the L<sub>1</sub>-B<sub>2xoz</sub> mode formed by coupling the first-order longitudinal (L<sub>1</sub>) vibration and the second-order bending (B<sub>2xoz</sub>) vibration. Moreover, the motion in the horizontal y direction was realized through the B<sub>2xoy</sub>-B<sub>2xoz</sub> mode formed by coupling the second-order bending (B<sub>2xoz</sub>) vibration and the second-order bending (B<sub>2xoy</sub>) vibration. An ultrasonic motor was designed, and its 2-DOF driving principle was analyzed. Then, the motor was simulated and analyzed to verify the described principle. Finally, the prototype of the ultrasonic motor with 3.8 × 4.2 × 14.5 mm dimensions and its experimental test device were fabricated, and the output characteristics of the motor were tested. Results show that at a voltage of 90 Vpp and a driving frequency of 104 kHz, the maximum no-load speeds of the motor in the horizontal x and y directions are 40.13 and 80.63 mm/s, respectively. Moreover, the maximum output forces in the horizontal and vertical directions are 0.9 and 1.55 N, respectively. The simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed 2-DOF ultrasonic motor.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107930"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145801965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107954
Alberto Almuna-Morales , Danilo Aballay , Pierre Gélat , Reza Haqshenas , Elwin van ’t Wout
Transcranial ultrasound therapy uses focused acoustic energy to induce therapeutic bioeffects in the brain. Ultrasound must be transmitted through the skull, which is highly attenuating and heterogeneous, causing beam distortion, reducing focal pressure, and shifting the target location. Computational models are frequently used to predict beam aberration, assess cranial heating, and correct the phase of ultrasound transducers. These models often rely on computed tomography (CT) images to build patient-specific geometries and estimate skull acoustic properties. However, the coarse voxel resolution of CT limits accuracy for differential equation solvers at ultrasound frequencies. This paper presents an efficient numerical method based on volume-surface integral equations to model full-wave acoustic propagation through heterogeneous skull bone. We show that our approach effectively simulates transcranial ultrasound, even when using the original CT voxels as the computational mesh, where the 0.5 mm voxel length is relatively coarse compared to the shortest wavelength of 3 mm. The method is validated against a high-resolution boundary element model using an averaged skull representation. Simulations using a CT-based skull model and a bowl transducer reveal significant beam distortion of 7.8 mm attributed to the skull’s heterogeneous acoustical properties.
{"title":"Full-wave modeling of transcranial ultrasound using volume-surface integral equations and CT-derived heterogeneous skull data","authors":"Alberto Almuna-Morales , Danilo Aballay , Pierre Gélat , Reza Haqshenas , Elwin van ’t Wout","doi":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107954","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ultras.2026.107954","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Transcranial ultrasound therapy uses focused acoustic energy to induce therapeutic bioeffects in the brain. Ultrasound must be transmitted through the skull, which is highly attenuating and heterogeneous, causing beam distortion, reducing focal pressure, and shifting the target location. Computational models are frequently used to predict beam aberration, assess cranial heating, and correct the phase of ultrasound transducers. These models often rely on computed tomography (CT) images to build patient-specific geometries and estimate skull acoustic properties. However, the coarse voxel resolution of CT limits accuracy for differential equation solvers at ultrasound frequencies. This paper presents an efficient numerical method based on volume-surface integral equations to model full-wave acoustic propagation through heterogeneous skull bone. We show that our approach effectively simulates transcranial ultrasound, even when using the original CT voxels as the computational mesh, where the 0.5 mm voxel length is relatively coarse compared to the shortest wavelength of 3 mm. The method is validated against a high-resolution boundary element model using an averaged skull representation. Simulations using a CT-based skull model and a bowl transducer reveal significant beam distortion of 7.8 mm attributed to the skull’s heterogeneous acoustical properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23522,"journal":{"name":"Ultrasonics","volume":"161 ","pages":"Article 107954"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145935264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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