Experimental Demonstration and Circuitry for a Very Compact Coil-Only Pulse Echo EMAT

This experimental study demonstrates for the first time a solid-state circuitry and design for a simple compact copper coil (without an additional bulky permanent magnet or bulky electromagnet) as a contactless electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for pulse echo operation at MHz frequencies. A pulsed ultrasound emission into a metallic test object is electromagnetically excited by an intense MHz burst at up to 500 A through the 0.15 mm filaments of the transducer. Immediately thereafter, a smoother and quasi “DC-like” current of 100 A is applied for about 1 ms and allows an echo detection. The ultrasonic pulse echo operation for a simple, compact, non-contacting copper coil is new. Application scenarios for compact transducer techniques include very narrow and hostile environments, in which, e.g., quickly moving metal parts must be tested with only one, non-contacting ultrasound shot. The small transducer coil can be operated remotely with a cable connection, separate from the much bulkier supply circuitry. Several options for more technical and fundamental progress are discussed

Detection of air trapping in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by low frequency ultrasound

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spirometry is regarded as the gold standard for the diagnosis of COPD, yet the condition is widely underdiagnosed. Therefore, additional screening methods that are easy to perform and to interpret are needed. Recently, we demonstrated that low frequency ultrasound (LFU) may be helpful for monitoring lung diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether LFU can be used to detect air trapping in COPD. In addition, we evaluated the ability of LFU to detect the effects of short-acting bronchodilator medication.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen patients with COPD and 9 healthy subjects were examined by body plethysmography and LFU. Ultrasound frequencies ranging from 1 to 40 kHz were transmitted to the sternum and received at the back during inspiration and expiration. The high pass frequency was determined from the inspiratory and the expiratory signals and their difference termed ΔF. Measurements were repeated after inhalation of salbutamol.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found significant differences in ΔF between COPD subjects and healthy subjects. These differences were already significant at GOLD stage 1 and increased with the severity of COPD. Sensitivity for detection of GOLD stage 1 was 83% and for GOLD stages worse than 1 it was 91%. Bronchodilator effects could not be detected reliably.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that low frequency ultrasound is cost-effective, easy to perform and suitable for detecting air trapping. It might be useful in screening for COPD.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01080924">NCT01080924</a></p

Induction coil as a non-contacting ultrasound transmitter and detector: Modeling of magnetic fields for improving the performance

A simple copper coil without a voluminous stationary magnet can be utilized as a non-contacting transmitter and as a detector for ultrasonic vibrations in metals. Advantages of such compact EMATs without (electro-)magnet might be: applications in critical environments (hot, narrow, presence of iron filings…), potentially superior fields (then improved ultrasound transmission and more sensitive ultrasound detection). The induction field of an EMAT strongly influences ultrasound transduction in the nearby metal. Herein, a simplified analytical method for field description at high liftoff is presented. Within certain limitations this method reasonably describes magnetic fields (and resulting eddy currents, inductances, Lorentz forces, acoustic pressures) of even complex coil arrangements. The methods can be adapted to conventional EMATS with a separate stationary magnet. Increased distances (liftoff) are challenging and technically relevant, and this practical question is addressed: with limited electrical power and given free space between transducer and target metal, what would be the most efficient geometry of a circular coil? Furthermore, more complex coil geometries (“butterfly coil”) with a concentrated field and relatively higher reach are briefly investigated

Ultrasound generation with high power and coil only EMAT concepts

Electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) are intended as non-contact and non-destructive ultrasound transducers for metallic material. The transmitted intensities from EMATS are modest, particularly at notable lift off distances. Some time ago a concept for a “coil only EMAT” was presented, without static magnetic field. In this contribution, such compact “coil only EMATs” with effective areas of 1–5 cm2 were driven to excessive power levels at MHz frequencies, using pulsed power technologies. RF induction currents of 10 kA and tens of Megawatts are applied. With increasing power the electroacoustic conversion efficiency also increases. The total effect is of second order or quadratic, therefore non-linear and progressive, and yields strong ultrasound signals up to kW/cm2 at MHz frequencies in the metal. Even at considerable lift off distances (cm) the ultrasound can be readily detected. Test materials are aluminum, ferromagnetic steel and stainless steel (non-ferromagnetic). Thereby, most metal types are represented. The technique is compared experimentally with other non-contact methods: laser pulse induced ultrasound and spark induced ultrasound, both damaging to the test object’s surface. At small lift off distances, the intensity from this EMAT concept clearly outperforms the laser pulses or heavy spark impacts

A Large and Quick Induction Field Scanner for Examining the Interior of Extended Objects or Humans

This study describes the techniques and signal properties of a large, powerful, and linear-scanning 1.5 MHz induction field scanner. The mechanical system is capable of quickly reading the volume of relative large objects, e.g., a test person. The general approach mirrors Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT), but the details differ considerably from currently-described MIT systems: the setup is asymmetrical, and it operates in gradiometric modalities, either with coaxial excitation with destructive interference or with a single excitation loop and tilted receivers. Following this approach, the primary signals were almost completely nulled, and test objects' real or imaginary imprint was obtained directly. The coaxial gradiometer appeared advantageous: exposure to strong fields was reduced due to destructive interference. Meanwhile, the signals included enhanced components at higher spatial frequencies, thereby obtaining a gradually improved capability for localization. For robust signals, the excitation field can be powered towards the rated limits of human exposure to time-varying magnetic fields. Repeated measurements assessed the important signal integrity, which is affected by the scanner´s imperfections, particularly any motions or respiratory changes in living beings during or between repeated scans. The currently achieved and overall figure of merit for artifacts was 58 dB for inanimate test objects and 44 dB for a test person. Both numbers should be understood as worst case levels: a repeated scan with intermediate breathing and drift/dislocations requires 50 seconds, whereas a single measurement (with respiratory arrest) takes only about 5 seconds

Induction Fields With Favorable Topologies in Magnetic Induction Tomography

In dieser Veröffentlichung wird ein Konzept vorgestellt, das es erlaubt die Topologie der Magnetfelder bei der „Magnetischen Induktionstomografie“ (MIT) durch geometrische Spulenkonstruktionen und Bestromungsmuster soweit zu verändern, um eine scharfe Lokalisierung von Objekten innerhalb des Raumes zu ermöglichen. Ziel ist dabei, die Empfindlichkeit im Messvolumen gleichmäßiger als in der bekannten MIT zu verteilen, sodass elektrisch leitfähige Objekte mit größerer Entfernung zwischen Sender- und Empfängereinheit mit nahezu gleich hoher Signalintensität detektiert werden können, wie Objekte in Sender- und Empfängernähe. Dabei soll die maximale Objektgröße, die noch zu detektieren ist, verkleinert und die Empfindlichkeit des Systems verbessert werden.In this paper a novel approach is presented to change the topology of the magnetic fields by geometrical constructions of coils and current patterns in the “Magnetic Induction Tomography” (MIT) in order to achieve a sharper localization of objects within the space. The aim is to increase and evenly distribute the sensitivity in the measurement volume, so that an electrical conductive target with a greater distance between transmitter and receiver can be detected with almost the same high signal intensity as targets near transmitter and receiver. Furthermore we decreased the maximum size of the disturbance, as compared with the literature and improved the sensitivity of the system

Non destructive testing for cracks in perforated sheet metals

The production and deformation of perforated sheets introduces high levels of mechanical stress into the material. In a significant fraction, such stress levels lead to crack formation in the processed sheets. Additionally, the material might be thinned and weakened in the exposed areas; these areas tend to crack at any later dates. Currently no measuring device for the detection of such material cracks or narrowing in perforated sheet metals is in practical use. Such device should be able to test the deformed circumference of the processed sheets within the very limited time of the production cycles. This paper describes the physical principles and a metrological implementation of a potential method for fast crack detection in perforated sheet metals. Even a critical material thinning - prior to the formation of a crack - can be observed. The measuring task appears to be solvable on the basis of high frequency electromagnetic fields

Photoluminescence from GaN layers at high temperatures as a candidate for in situ monitoring in MOVPE

Efficient photoluminescence (PL) spectra from GaN and InGaN layers at temperatures up to 1100 K are observed with low noise floor and high dynamic resolution. A number of detailed spectral features in the PL can be directly linked to physical properties of the epitaxial grown layer. The method is suggested as an in situ monitoring tool during epitaxy of nitride LED and laser structures. Layer properties like thickness, band gap or film temperature distribution are feasible