The Ultrasonic Investigation of Phase Transition in Olive Oil up to 0.7 GPa.

This paper presents measurements of sound velocity and attenuation in olive oil, with known chemical composition, as a function of pressure, within the range of pressure up to 0.7 GPa. Dependencies of sound velocity, relative ultrasonic wave attenuation, volume, and adiabatic compressibility on pressure show discontinuities. This proves the existence of the first order phase transition in olive oil (liquid to solid-like phase transition). Rapid and large changes in relative attenuation testify to the existence of a phase transition in olive oil. Moreover, the kinetics of phase transition was also investigated. Measurement of acoustic wave velocity and relative attenuation in olive oil during the phase transition and in the high-pressure phase is a novelty. The results obtained can be useful in the development of new methods in food (edible oils) control, processing, and preservation.

Identification and investigation of mechanically separated meat (MSM) with an innovative ultrasonic method.

An innovative analytical ultrasonic method for identification and investigation of Mechanically Separated Meat (MSM) samples is presented. To this end, the ultrasonic wave velocity (f=5MHz) in the investigated meat samples was measured. The measured ultrasonic velocity ranged from 1553.4 to 1589.9 m/s. The investigations were performed for: 1) minced hand deboned chicken fillets, 2) low pressure MSM from chicken carcasses, 3) low pressure MSM from chicken collarbones, 4) high pressure MSM from chicken carcasses and 5) high pressure MSM from chicken collarbones. Statistically significant (p<0.001) differences in the ultrasonic velocity were observed for each of investigated kinds of meat. High significant correlations were found between the ultrasonic velocity and the content of protein, fat, sodium and density of the investigated meat. The applicability of the developed ultrasonic method for identifying various kinds of meat and to determine the content of protein, fat, sodium and density was demonstrated.

New ultrasonic Bleustein-Gulyaev wave method for measuring the viscosity of liquids at high pressure.

In this paper, a new method for measuring the viscosity of liquids at high pressure is presented. To this end the authors have applied an ultrasonic method using the Bleustein-Gulyaev (BG) surface acoustic wave. By applying the perturbation method, we can prove that the change in the complex propagation constant of the BG wave produced by the layer of liquid loading the waveguide surface is proportional to the shear mechanical impedance of the liquid. In the article, a measuring setup employing the BG wave for the purpose of measuring the viscosity of liquids at high pressure (up to 1 GPa) is presented. The results of high-pressure viscosity measurements of triolein and castor oil are also presented. In this paper the model of a Newtonian liquid was applied. Using this new method it is also possible to measure the viscosity of liquids during the phase transition and during the decompression process (hysteresis of the dependence of viscosity on pressure).

Propagation of ultrasonic Love waves in nonhomogeneous elastic functionally graded materials.

This paper presents a theoretical study of the propagation behavior of ultrasonic Love waves in nonhomogeneous functionally graded elastic materials, which is a vital problem in the mechanics of solids. The elastic properties (shear modulus) of a semi-infinite elastic half-space vary monotonically with the depth (distance from the surface of the material). The Direct Sturm-Liouville Problem that describes the propagation of Love waves in nonhomogeneous elastic functionally graded materials is formulated and solved by using two methods: i.e., (1) Finite Difference Method, and (2) Haskell-Thompson Transfer Matrix Method. The dispersion curves of phase and group velocity of surface Love waves in inhomogeneous elastic graded materials are evaluated. The integral formula for the group velocity of Love waves in nonhomogeneous elastic graded materials has been established. The effect of elastic non-homogeneities on the dispersion curves of Love waves is discussed. Two Love wave waveguide structures are analyzed: (1) a nonhomogeneous elastic surface layer deposited on a homogeneous elastic substrate, and (2) a semi-infinite nonhomogeneous elastic half-space. Obtained in this work, the phase and group velocity dispersion curves of Love waves propagating in the considered nonhomogeneous elastic waveguides have not previously been reported in the scientific literature. The results of this paper may give a deeper insight into the nature of Love waves propagation in elastic nonhomogeneous functionally graded materials, and can provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of Love wave based devices.

Ring vibrations in an acoustic medium as a source of ultrasonic radiation.

In this paper, the vibrational characteristics of ultrasonic transducers consisting of a ceramic ring filled with a plastic disk are considered. For axially symmetric resonances, the vibrational amplitude on the surface of the plastic core is approximately described by a truncated Bessel function of zero order and first kind J(0), leading to an ultrasonic beam which is nondiffracting near the transducer. The near- and far-field pressure distributions of such transducers are measured and compared with model predictions. In the near zone, the width of the measured main lobe is narrow, which is in accordance with the theoretical results for circular transducers with a truncated Bessel function amplitude distribution. By changing the inner diameter of the ring, it is possible to control the resonance frequency of the plastic core. On the other hand, the resonance frequency of the ring may be regulated by varying its width. The existing coupling of resonant vibrations of the ceramic ring and plastic core enables variations of the bandwidths of the considered circular transducers.

Piezoelectric sensor applied in ultrasonic contact microscopy for the investigation of material surfaces.

In this paper the theoretical analysis and the results of testing of a piezoelectric cantilever for the investigation of material surfaces are presented. The cantilever consists of a thin piezoelectric plate bonded with a thin metal (e.g., molybdenum) foil. The analytical formulae for spring constants and sensitivity of such monomorph have been established. The performed analysis permits us to state the optimal parameters of the sensor dimensions and the Young's modulus of applied materials. An important factor is the position of the nodal plane and its influence on sensor sensitivity. Various combinations of ceramic plates and metal foils were theoretically analyzed, then applied in practical realizations of the sensors. The sensor with a tip was applied to a contact ultrasonic microscope, and replaced the optical sensor commonly used to measure the deflection amplitude of the tip during scanning the surfaces of the sample. Such a method enables us to create the three-dimensional images of the surface. The sensors produced were calibrated using the quasi-static method. Sensors of this kind may fulfil requirements necessary in investigating surface properties of materials applied in modern electronics and technology.

Ring piezoelectric transducers radiating ultrasonic energy into the air.

Ring piezoelectric transducers generating ultrasonic energy in air were designed and tested experimentally and numerically. The radiation pattern of the transducer is very narrow (4 degrees ) and its frequency response has a broadband character. Resonant frequencies of the transducers were determined experimentally and verified theoretically. Applications of the proposed ring transducers in a robotic ranging system were examined.

Shear-horizontal surface waves on piezoelectric ceramics with depolarized surface layer.

Theoretical analysis and numerical results describing the propagation of SH (shear-horizontal) surface waves on piezoelectric ceramics with a depolarized surface layer are described. SH surface waves propagating in piezoelectric ceramics with a depolarized surface layer are shown to be a mixture of the Bleustein-Gulyaev surface wave, electrical potential, and the Love surface-wave mechanical displacement. Depolarization of the surface layer in piezoelectric ceramics produces strong dispersion and a multimode structure of the SH surface wave. The penetration depth of the SH surface waves propagating on an electrically free surface of a piezoelectric ceramic with a depolarized surface layer can be significantly smaller than that of the Bleustein-Gulyaev surface waves propagating on a free piezoelectric half-space. It is concluded that piezoelectric ceramics with a depolarized surface layer can be used in hybrid piezoelectric semiconductor convolvers of reduced size.

Application of SH surface acoustic waves for measuring the viscosity of liquids in function of pressure and temperature.

Viscosity measurements were carried out on triolein at pressures from atmospheric up to 650 MPa and in the temperature range from 10°C to 40°C using ultrasonic measuring setup. Bleustein-Gulyaev SH surface acoustic waves waveguides were used as viscosity sensors. Additionally, pressure changes occurring during phase transition have been measured over the same temperature range. Application of ultrasonic SH surface acoustic waves in the liquid viscosity measurements at high pressure has many advantages. It enables viscosity measurement during phase transitions and in the high-pressure range where the classical viscosity measurement methods cannot operate. Measurements of phase transition kinetics and viscosity of liquids at high pressures and various temperatures (isotherms) is a novelty. The knowledge of changes in viscosity in function of pressure and temperature can help to obtain a deeper insight into thermodynamic properties of liquids.