Abstract:
A non-contact non-destructive testing method includes spatially and/or temporally controlling a laser excitation light based on a predetermined pattern. The laser excitation light is projected onto a surface of a test object to generate acoustic waves on the test object. The acoustic waves apply stress loading to the test object. The method also includes imaging the test object with and without stress loading using shearography imaging, and analyzing shearography imaging data to determine a presence of a defect in the test object.
Abstract:
A non-contact non-destructive testing method includes spatially and/or temporally controlling a laser excitation light based on a predetermined pattern. The laser excitation light is projected onto a surface of a test object to generate acoustic waves on the test object. The acoustic waves apply stress loading to the test object. The method also includes imaging the test object with and without stress loading using shearography imaging, and analyzing shearography imaging data to determine a presence of a defect in the test object.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for monitoring plastic deformation of a structural material are provided. An acoustic wave actuator is configured to generate acoustic wave signals to be propagated within the structural material and is in-situ fabricated on the structural material at a first location. An alternating current (AC) electric signal source drives the acoustic wave actuator to generate the acoustic wave signals at a predetermined frequency. One or more acoustic wave sensors detect the acoustic wave signals generated by the acoustic wave actuator and propagated within the structural material. More particularly, the acoustic wave detectors are configured to detect both fundamental and second harmonic acoustic signals at the predetermined frequency. The acoustic wave sensors are in-situ fabricated on the structural material at one or more second locations.
Abstract:
According to embodiments of the present invention, a piezoelectric actuator is provided. The piezoelectric actuator includes a shear mode piezoelectric material including a first arm and a second arm intersecting each other, the shear mode piezoelectric material having a polarization direction oriented at least substantially along a length of the first arm, wherein the shear mode piezoelectric material has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface and the second surface being adapted to undergo a shear displacement relative to each other along an axis at least substantially parallel to the polarization direction in response to an electric field applied between the first surface and the second surface in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the polarization direction.
Abstract:
A fluid jet dispenser using at least two multilayer piezoelectric actuators is provided. The fluid jet dispenser includes a dispensing head and an electrical driver. The dispensing head includes at least two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a displacement magnifying element mechanically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators, a piston, and a nozzle. More preferably, the two d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators operate in an anti-phase condition. The electrical driver is electrically coupled to the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators for displacing the actuators in directions substantially perpendicular to polarization of piezoelectric layers in the d31-mode multilayer piezoelectric actuators in response to charging and discharging of the actuators by the electrical driver, to generate a fast movement of the piston to jet a pressurized fluid out of the nozzle of the dispensing head.
Abstract:
Wireless piezoelectric accelerometers and systems are provided. A wireless piezoelectric accelerometer may comprise a piezoelectric sensing element configured to sense mechanical acceleration and produce an electrical charge signal in response of the sensed mechanical acceleration, a signal processing module (SPM) configured to convert the electrical charge signal into a voltage signal, and process and digitize the voltage signal, and a wireless module configured to modulate and transmit the digitized voltage signal as wireless signals. The piezoelectric sensing element, the SPM and the wireless module are packaged in a casing. The casing comprises a metallic shielding chamber configured to enclose the piezoelectric sensing element. The casing further comprises a non-metallic portion located in relative to the wireless module to allow transmission of the wireless signals. Corresponding wireless piezoelectric accelerometer systems are also provided.
Abstract:
A testing device is provided. The testing device includes a capturing tool and a microfluidic chip having a plurality of chambers connected in a network, a sample receiving port connected to the network, and a guide structure configured to receive the capturing tool, wherein the capturing tool is configured to capture sample in a distal position from the guide structure and further configured to transfer the captured sample to the sample receiving port in a proximal position from the guide structure.
Abstract:
A structural health monitoring method includes directly forming an acoustic transducer on a surface of a structure to be monitored; generating, by the acoustic transducer, an acoustic wave to apply stress loading to a region of interest on the structure; and detecting a presence of a defect in the region of interest. Detecting includes a non-contact optical imaging of the region of interest with and without the stress loading and an analysis of imaging data from the non-contact optical imaging.
Abstract:
Wireless piezoelectric accelerometers and systems are provided. A wireless piezoelectric accelerometer may comprise a piezoelectric sensing element configured to sense mechanical acceleration and produce an electrical charge signal in response of the sensed mechanical acceleration, a signal processing module (SPM) configured to convert the electrical charge signal into a voltage signal, and process and digitize the voltage signal, and a wireless module configured to modulate and transmit the digitized voltage signal as wireless signals. The piezoelectric sensing element, the SPM and the wireless module are packaged in a casing. The casing comprises a metallic shielding chamber configured to enclose the piezoelectric sensing element. The casing further comprises a non-metallic portion located in relative to the wireless module to allow transmission of the wireless signals. Corresponding wireless piezoelectric accelerometer systems are also provided.
Abstract:
According to embodiments of the present invention, a piezoelectric actuator is provided. The piezoelectric actuator includes a shear mode piezoelectric material including a first arm and a second arm intersecting each other, the shear mode piezoelectric material having a polarization direction oriented at least substantially along a length of the first arm, wherein the shear mode piezoelectric material has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface and the second surface being adapted to undergo a shear displacement relative to each other along an axis at least substantially parallel to the polarization direction in response to an electric field applied between the first surface and the second surface in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the polarization direction.