Effect of 10-Week Whole-Body Vibration Training on Falls and Physical Performance in Older Adults: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial with 1-Year Follow-Up.

Whole-body vibration training (WBV) training has shown positive effects on bone strength, muscle strength, and balance, but the evidence on fall prevention is not yet persuasive. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of WBV training in preventing falls and improving physical performance among older adults at fall risk. The study was an assessor- and participant-blinded, randomized, and controlled 10-week training trial with a 10-month follow-up. One hundred and thirty older adults (mean age 78.5 years, 75% women) were randomly allocated into the WBV group (n = 68) and the low-intensity wellness group (n = 62). Falls were prospectively collected using monthly returned and verified diaries. Physical performance was evaluated at baseline before randomization, after the intervention, and follow-up with established methods. The data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate the incidence rate ratios for falls, and Cox regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratios for fallers. Between-group differences in physical performance were estimated by generalized linear mixed models. The retention rate was 93%, and the mean adherence to the WBV training was 88% and 86% to the wellness training. Sixty-eight participants fell at least once, and there were 156 falls in total. In the WBV group, the incidence rate of falls was 1.5 (95% confidence interval 0.9 to 2.5) compared to the wellness group (p = 0.11). The hazard ratio for fallers in the WBV group was 1.29 (0.78 to 2.15) (p = 0.32). There was no between-group difference in physical performance after the training period, but by the end of the follow-up, WBV-related benefits appeared. The chair-rising capacity was maintained in the WBV group, while the benefit disappeared in the wellness group (p = 0.004). Also, the 0.5-point difference in short physical performance battery (SPPB) score favored WBV training (p = 0.009). In conclusion, progressive side-alternating WBV training was feasible and well-tolerated among fall-prone older adults. During the one-year follow-up, WBV training was associated with improved physical performance but did not prevent falls compared to chair-based group exercises.

A Positioning Alarm System for Explosive Impact Debris Protective Suit Based on an Accelerometer Array.

Protection suits are vital for firefighters' safety. Traditional protection suits physically protect firemen from burns, but cannot locate the position of bodily injuries caused by impact debris. Herein, we present a wearable impact debris positioning system for firefighter protection suits based on an accelerometer array. Wearable piezoelectric accelerometers are distributed regularly on the suit to detect the vibration on different body parts, which is conducive to determining the position of injured body parts. In addition, the injured parts can be displayed on a dummy body model on the upper computer with a higher localization accuracy of 4 cm. The positioning alarm system has a rapid response time of 0.11 ms, attributed to the smart signal processing method. This work provides a reliable and smart method for locating and assessing the position of bodily injuries caused by impact debris, which is significant because it enables fire commanders to rescue injured firefighters in time.

Detection of Total Hip Replacement Loosening Based on Structure-Borne Sound: Influence of the Position of the Sensor on the Hip Stem.

Accurate detection of implant loosening is crucial for early intervention in total hip replacements, but current imaging methods lack sensitivity and specificity. Vibration methods, already successful in dentistry, represent a promising approach. In order to detect loosening of the total hip replacement, excitation and measurement should be performed intracorporeally to minimize the influence of soft tissue on damping of the signals. However, only implants with a single sensor intracorporeally integrated into the implant for detecting vibrations have been presented in the literature. Considering different mode shapes, the sensor's position on the implant is assumed to influence the signals. In the work at hand, the influence of the position of the sensor on the recording of the vibrations on the implant was investigated. For this purpose, a simplified test setup was created with a titanium rod implanted in a cylinder of artificial cancellous bone. Mechanical stimulation via an exciter attached to the rod was recorded by three accelerometers at varying positions along the titanium rod. Three states of peri-implant loosening within the bone stock were simulated by extracting the bone material around the titanium rod, and different markers were analyzed to distinguish between these states of loosening. In addition, a modal analysis was performed using the finite element method to analyze the mode shapes. Distinct differences in the signals recorded by the acceleration sensors within defects highlight the influence of sensor position on mode detection and natural frequencies. Thus, using multiple sensors could be advantageous in accurately detecting all modes and determining the implant loosening state more precisely.

Anomaly Detection and Remaining Useful Life Estimation for the Health and Usage Monitoring Systems 2023 Data Challenge.

Gear fault detection and remaining useful life estimation are important tasks for monitoring the health of rotating machinery. In this study, a new benchmark for endurance gear vibration signals is presented and made publicly available. The new dataset was used in the HUMS 2023 conference data challenge to test anomaly detection algorithms. A survey of the suggested techniques is provided, demonstrating that traditional signal processing techniques interestingly outperform deep learning algorithms in this case. Of the 11 participating groups, only those that used traditional approaches achieved good results on most of the channels. Additionally, we introduce a signal processing anomaly detection algorithm and meticulously compare it to a standard deep learning anomaly detection algorithm using data from the HUMS 2023 challenge and simulated signals. The signal processing algorithm surpasses the deep learning algorithm on all tested channels and also on simulated data where there is an abundance of training data. Finally, we present a new digital twin that enables the estimation of the remaining useful life of the tested gear from the HUMS 2023 challenge.

Nucleic Acid Target Sensing Using a Vibrating Sharp-Tip Capillary and Digital Droplet Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (ddLAMP).

Nucleic acid tests are key tools for the detection and diagnosis of many diseases. In many cases, the amplification of the nucleic acids is required to reach a detectable level. To make nucleic acid amplification tests more accessible to a point-of-care (POC) setting, isothermal amplification can be performed with a simple heating source. Although these tests are being performed in bulk reactions, the quantification is not as accurate as it would be with digital amplification. Here, we introduce the use of the vibrating sharp-tip capillary for a simple and portable system for tunable on-demand droplet generation. Because of the large range of droplet sizes possible and the tunability of the vibrating sharp-tip capillary, a high dynamic range (~2 to 6000 copies/µL) digital droplet loop-mediated isothermal amplification (ddLAMP) system has been developed. It was also noted that by changing the type of capillary on the vibrating sharp-tip capillary, the same mechanism can be used for simple and portable DNA fragmentation. With the incorporation of these elements, the present work paves the way for achieving digital nucleic acid tests in a POC setting with limited resources.

Vibration source analysis and structural optimization design of rotary table based on OTPA.

Due to the influence of coal rock shape, hardness, working environment and other factors in the cutting process of cantilever roadheader, the cutting head will produce irregular and violent vibration. As the rotary table of key stress components, its operation process stability, dynamic reliability and life affect the cutting efficiency and cutting stability of cantilever roadheader. In order to study the vibration characteristics of the rotary table in the cutting process, firstly, based on the theory of spatial force analysis and calculation, the spatial mechanical model of the rotary table of the cantilever roadheader is established. By solving the balance equation of the rotary table force system, the variation law of the load at the hinge ear of the rotary table with the cutting pitch angle and the horizontal angle is obtained. Secondly, based on the path transfer analysis method of working condition, the vibration data of cutting head, cutting cantilever, cutting lifting and rotary hydraulic cylinder under stable cutting condition are taken as input signals. By constructing the transfer path analysis model of rotary table working condition, the synthetic vibration of rotary table in cutting process is simulated, and the main vibration source of rotary table is determined. Then, the vibration contribution and contribution degree of each vibration excitation point to the hinge ear of rotary table are studied. By building a cutting test bench, the vibration response of rotary table in cutting process is tested to verify the correctness of the theoretical model.Thirdly, based on the frequency domain analysis method of random vibration fatigue life, combined with the S-N curve of the rotary table, the PSD curve at the maximum stress of the rotary table is obtained by modal excitation method, and the load data is imported into ANSYS nCode software to obtain the life cloud diagram and damage cloud diagram of the rotary table, and then the fatigue life of the rotary table under symmetrical cyclic load is solved. Finally, based on the response surface optimization analysis method, the maximum stress and maximum deformation of the rotary table are taken as the optimization objectives, and the aperture of each hinge ear of the rotary table is taken as the optimization variable. Based on Design Expert, a second-order regression model is established to realize the multi-objective optimization design of the key stress parts of the rotary table in the cutting process. The simulation results show that under the same cutting conditions, the maximum stress of the optimized rotary table is reduced by 15.82% year-on-year, and the maximum deformation is reduced by 24.70% year-on-year. The optimized rotary table structure can better adapt to the cutting process, which is beneficial to improve the service life of the rotary table and enhance its operation stability. The research results are beneficial to enrich the relevant research theory in the field of rotary table vibration of cantilever roadheader, and are beneficial to improve the service life of the rotary table and the efficiency of tunneling and mining.

Challenges and opportunities in testing sensorimotor processing with tendon vibration and transcranial magnetic stimulation in subacromial impingement syndrome: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive neurostimulation like muscle tendon vibration (VIB) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can provide valuable insights on mechanisms underlying sensorimotor dysfunctions. However, their feasibility in the context of painful musculoskeletal disorders like shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) remain uncertain. METHODS: The present work used a case series design including 15 participants with SIS, as well as a secondary group-based analysis comparing participants with SIS to 15 healthy counterparts. Proprioceptive processing was tested by VIB-induced kinesthetic illusions of shoulder abduction, and TMS tested corticospinal excitability of the upper trapezius. Detailed individual data were collected, including any technical challenges and feasibility issues encountered. RESULTS: VIB was in general well-tolerated and elicited a perceptible kinesthetic illusion in 13 participants with SIS and 14 controls. TMS presented with several challenges related to discomfort, fear-related behaviors, technical problems and high motor thresholds, especially in participants with SIS. It was only possible to collect all TMS measures in 5 participants with SIS (for both the painful and non/less-painful sides), in 7 controls on their dominant side and 10 controls on the non-dominant side. The only significant group-based analysis was a lower illusion speed/amplitude on the painful versus non-painful side in persons with SIS (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Our study provides preliminary data on challenges encountered with TMS and VIB of trunk/proximal muscle in persons with SIS and healthy counterparts. It might help future studies to better address those challenges beforehand and improve the overall feasibility and impact of neurostimulation tools in musculoskeletal disorders.

Lipidomics Profiling of the Linoleic Acid Metabolites After Whole-Body Vibration in Humans.

Bioactive lipids have been identified as dynamic signaling lipid mediators (LMs). These fats have the ability to activate responses and control bodily functions either directly or indirectly. Linoleic Acid (LA) and Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA) are types of omega 3 fatty acids that possess inflammatory properties and promote resolution of inflammation either through their own actions or through their metabolites known as oxylipins. In this chapter, we provide an explanation of a method that combines chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy (LC MS/MS) to identify and measure all the metabolites derived from LA and ALA. Additionally, we employed the described methodology to analyze human serum samples obtained before and after whole-body vibration exercise training. The results indicated an increase in some of the LA and ALA LMs that have beneficial effects in regulating the cardiovascular system.

Targeted vibratory therapy as a treatment for proprioceptive dysfunction: Clinical trial in older patients with chronic low back pain.

INTRODUCTION: Proprioceptive function declines with age, leading to falls, pain, and difficulties in performing activities of daily living among older adults. Although individuals with low back pain (LBP) exhibit decreased lumbosacral proprioception in various postures, the mechanism by which reduced proprioceptive function causes LBP remains uncertain. Vibratory stimulation may enhance proprioceptive function; however, its efficacy in treating LBP has not been investigated. Thus, we investigated the feasibility of improving proprioceptive function and its effect on alleviating chronic LBP in older patients through targeted vibratory therapy (TVT) administration. METHODS: This single arm designed trial included older patients aged >65 years with non-specific chronic LBP. TVT involved applying vibratory stimulation, matching the frequency of dysfunctional receptors, for 1 min daily over 14 days to activate proprioceptors; patients performed TVT three times daily at home. In cases of reduced proprioceptive function at multiple sites, TVT was aimed at the lowest frequency band value. LBP and proprioceptive function were evaluated at 2 weeks after TVT and at 2 weeks after the end of TVT in patients with declined proprioception in the trunk or lower extremities. RESULTS: Overall, 56 patients with chronic LBP were enrolled; 32 patients were recruited for treatment based on a proprioceptive dysfunction diagnosis and 24 patients were recruited with a normal diagnosis with no significant differences observed between the two sets of patients in sarcopenia-related factors and clinical proprioception-related characteristics. No patient had any adverse events. Two weeks after TVT, the numerical pain rating scale score improved to <3 points in 78.1% of patients, with 73.1% of patients achieving a score of ≤ 3 points. Proprioceptive function improved in 81.3% of cases, and engagement in activities of daily living improved significantly. CONCLUSIONS: TVT demonstrated efficacy in improving proprioception and alleviating LBP in older patients with impaired proprioceptive function without affecting non-targeted proprioceptors.

Sound Matrix Shaping of Living Matter: From Macrosystems to Cell Microenvironment, Where Mitochondria Act as Energy Portals in Detecting and Processing Sound Vibrations.

Vibration and sound are the shaping matrix of the entire universe. Everything in nature is shaped by energy vibrating and communicating through its own sound trail. Every cell within our body vibrates at defined frequencies, generating its peculiar "sound signature". Mitochondria are dynamic, energy-transforming, biosynthetic, and signaling organelles that actively transduce biological information. Novel research has shown that the mitochondrial function of mammalian cells can be modulated by various energetic stimuli, including sound vibrations. Regarding acoustic vibrations, definite types of music have been reported to produce beneficial impacts on human health. In very recent studies, the effects of different sound stimuli and musical styles on cellular function and mitochondrial activity were evaluated and compared in human cells cultured in vitro, investigating the underlying responsible molecular mechanisms. This narrative review will take a multilevel trip from macro to intracellular microenvironment, discussing the intimate vibrational sound activities shaping living matter, delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying the sound modulation of biological systems, and mainly focusing our discussion on novel evidence showing the competence of mitochondria in acting as energy portals capable of sensing and transducing the subtle informational biofields of sound vibration.

Ligand Characterization and DNA Intercalation of Ru(II) Polypyridyl Complexes: A Local Vibrational Mode Study.

We investigated in this work ruthenium-ligand bonding across the RuN framework in 12 Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes in the gas phase and solution for both singlet and triplet states, in addition to their affinity for DNA binding through π-π stacking interactions with DNA nucleobases. As a tool to assess the intrinsic strength of the ruthenium-ligand bonds, we determined local vibrational force constants via our local vibrational mode analysis software. We introduced a novel local force constant that directly accounts for the intrinsic strength of the π-π stacking interaction between DNA and the intercalated Ru(II) complex. According to our findings, [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ and [Ru(phen)2(11-CN-dppz)]2+ provide an intriguing trade-off between photoinduced complex excitation and the strength of the subsequent π-π stacking interaction with DNA. [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ displays a small singlet-triplet splitting and a strong π-π stacking interaction in its singlet state, suggesting a favorable photoexcitation but potentially weaker interaction with DNA in the excited state. Conversely, [Ru(phen)2(11-CN-dppz)]2+ exhibits a larger singlet-triplet splitting and a stronger π-π stacking interaction with DNA in its triplet state, indicating a less favorable photoinduced transition but a stronger interaction with DNA postexcitation. We hope our study will inspire future experimental and computational work aimed at the design of novel Ru-polypyridyl drug candidates and that our new quantitative measure of π-π stacking interactions in DNA will find a general application in the field.

Optical, vibrational, and photoluminescence properties of holmium-doped boro-bismuth-germanate glasses.

Holmium (Ho3+)-doped boro-bismuth-germanate glasses having the chemical composition (30-x)B2O3 + 20GeO2 + 20Bi2O3 + 20Na2O + 10Y2O3 + xHo2O3, where x = 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mol% were prepared by melt-quenching technique. The prepared glasses were examined for thermal, optical, vibrational, and photoluminescent properties. The prepared glasses were found to be thermally very stable. The optical bandgap and Urbach energies of 0.1 mol% Ho2O3-doped boro-bismuth-germanate glass were calculated to be 3.3 eV and 377 MeV, respectively, using the absorption spectrum. The Judd-Ofelt analysis was performed on the 0.1 mol% Ho2O3-doped glass and compared the obtained parameters with literature. The branching ratio (ß) and emission cross-section (σem) of the green band were determined to be 0.7 and 0.24 × 10-20 cm2, respectively. Under 450 nm excitation, a strong green emission around 550 nm was observed and assigned to the (5S2 + 5F4) → 5I8 (Ho3+) transition. Upon an increase of Ho2O3 content from 0.1 to 2.0 mol%, the intensities of all observed emission bands as well as decay time of the (5S2 + 5F4) → 5I8 transition have been decreased gradually. The reasons behind the decrease in emission intensity and decay time were discussed. The strong green emission suggests that these glasses may be a better option for display devices and green emission applications.

Probabilistic Estimation of Cadence and Walking Speed From Floor Vibrations.

OBJECTIVE: This research aims to extract human gait parameters from floor vibrations. The proposed approach provides an innovative methodology on occupant activity, contributing to a broader understanding of how human movements interact within their built environment. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A multilevel probabilistic model was developed to estimate cadence and walking speed through the analysis of floor vibrations induced by walking. The model addresses challenges related to missing or incomplete information in the floor acceleration signals. Following the Bayesian Analysis Reporting Guidelines (BARG) for reproducibility, the model was evaluated through twenty-seven walking experiments, capturing floor vibration and data from Ambulatory Parkinson's Disease Monitoring (APDM) wearable sensors. The model was tested in a real-time implementation where ten individuals were recorded walking at their own selected pace. RESULTS: Using a rigorous combined decision criteria of 95% high posterior density (HPD) and the Range of Practical Equivalence (ROPE) following BARG, the results demonstrate satisfactory alignment between estimations and target values for practical purposes. Notably, with over 90% of the 95% HPD falling within the region of practical equivalence, there is a solid basis for accepting the estimations as probabilistically aligned with the estimations using the APDM sensors and video recordings. CONCLUSION: This research validates the probabilistic multilevel model in estimating cadence and walking speed by analyzing floor vibrations, demonstrating its satisfactory comparability with established technologies such as APDM sensors and video recordings. The close alignment between the estimations and target values emphasizes the approach's efficacy. The proposed model effectively tackles prevalent challenges associated with missing or incomplete data in real-world scenarios, enhancing the accuracy of gait parameter estimations derived from floor vibrations. CLINICAL IMPACT: Extracting gait parameters from floor vibrations could provide a non-intrusive and continuous means of monitoring an individual's gait, offering valuable insights into mobility and potential indicators of neurological conditions. The implications of this research extend to the development of advanced gait analysis tools, offering new perspectives on assessing and understanding walking patterns for improved diagnostics and personalized healthcare.Clinical and Translational Impact Statement: This manuscript introduces an innovative approach for unattended gait assessments with potentially significant implications for clinical decision-making. By utilizing floor vibrations to estimate cadence and walking speed, the technology can provide clinicians with valuable insights into their patients' mobility and functional abilities in real-life settings. The strategic installation of accelerometers beneath the flooring of homes or care facilities allows for uninterrupted daily activities during these assessments, reducing the reliance on specialized clinical environments. This technology enables continuous monitoring of gait patterns over time and has the potential for integration into healthcare platforms. Such integration can enhance remote monitoring, leading to timely interventions and personalized care plans, ultimately improving clinical outcomes. The probabilistic nature of our model enables uncertainty quantification in the estimated parameters, providing clinicians with a nuanced understanding of data reliability.

Machine learning based method for analyzing vibration and noise in large cruise ships.

Cruise ships are distinguished as special passenger ships, transporting passengers to various ports and giving importance to comfort. High comfort can attract lots of passengers and generate substantial profits. Vibration and noise are the most important indicators for assessing the comfort of cruise ships. Existing methods for analyzing vibration and noise data have shown limitations in uncovering essential information and discerning critical disparities in vibration and noise levels across different ship districts. Conversely, the rapid development in machine learning present an opportunity to leverage sophisticated algorithms for a more insightful examination of vibration and noise aboard cruise ships. This study designed a machine learning-driven approach to analyze the vibration and noise data. Drawing data from China's first large-scale cruise ship, encompassing 127 noise samples, this study sets up a classification task, where decks were assigned as labels and frequencies served as features. Essential information was extracted by investigating this problem. Several machine learning algorithms, including feature ranking, selection, and classification algorithms, were adopted in this method. One or two essential noise frequencies related to each of the decks, except the 10th deck, were obtained, which were partly validated by the traditional statistical methods. Such findings were helpful in reducing and controlling the vibration and noise in cruise ships. Furthermore, the study develops a classifier to distinguish noise samples, which utilizes random forest as the classification algorithm with eight optimal frequency features identified by LightGBM. This classifier yielded a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.3415. This study gives a new direction for investigating vibration and noise in ships.

Functional performance of a vibrotactile sensory substitution device in people with profound vision loss.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study has shown a vibrotactile sensory substitution device (SSD) prototype, VibroSight, has the potential to improve functional outcomes (i.e., obstacle avoidance, face detection) for people with profound vision loss, even with brief familiarization (<20 minutes). PURPOSE: Mobility aids such as long canes are still the mainstay of support for most people with vision loss, but they do have limitations. Emerging technologies such as SSDs are gaining widespread interest in the low vision community. The aim of this project was to assess the efficacy of a prototype vibrotactile SSD for people with profound vision loss in the face detection and obstacle avoidance tasks. METHODS: The VibroSight device was tested in a movement laboratory setting. The first task involved obstacle avoidance, in which participants were asked to walk through an obstacle course. The second was a face detection task, in which participants were asked to step toward the first face they detected. Exit interviews were also conducted to gather user experience data. Both people with low vision (n = 7) and orientation and mobility instructors (n = 4) completed the tasks. RESULTS: In obstacle avoidance task, participants were able to use the device to detect (p<0.001) and avoid (p<0.001) the obstacles within a significantly larger range, but were slower (p<0.001), when compared with without the device. In face detection task, participants demonstrated a great level of accuracy, precision, and sensitivity when using the device. Interviews revealed a positive user experience, although participants identified that they would require a lighter and compact design for real-world use. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results verified the functionality of vibrotactile SSD prototype. Further research is warranted to evaluate the user performance after an extended training program and to add new features, such as object recognition software algorithms, into the device.

Wing mechanics and acoustic communication of a new genus of sylvan katydid (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Pseudophyllinae) from the Central Cordillera cloud forest of Colombia.

Stridulation is used by male katydids to produce sound via the rubbing together of their specialised forewings, either by sustained or interrupted sweeps of the file producing different tones and call structures. There are many species of Orthoptera that remain undescribed and their acoustic signals are unknown. This study aims to measure and quantify the mechanics of wing vibration, sound production and acoustic properties of the hearing system in a new genus of Pseudophyllinae with taxonomic descriptions of two new species. The calling behaviour and wing mechanics of males were measured using micro-scanning laser Doppler vibrometry, microscopy, and ultrasound sensitive equipment. The resonant properties of the acoustic pinnae of the ears were obtained via µ-CT scanning and 3D printed experimentation, and numerical modelling was used to validate the results. Analysis of sound recordings and wing vibrations revealed that the stridulatory areas of the right tegmen exhibit relatively narrow frequency responses and produce narrowband calls between 12 and 20 kHz. As in most Pseudophyllinae, only the right mirror is activated for sound production. The acoustic pinnae of all species were found to provide a broadband increased acoustic gain from ~40-120 kHz by up to 25 dB, peaking at almost 90 kHz which coincides with the echolocation frequency of sympatric bats. The new genus, named Satizabalus n. gen., is here derived as a new polytypic genus from the existing genus Gnathoclita, based on morphological and acoustic evidence from one described (S. sodalis n. comb.) and two new species (S. jorgevargasi n. sp. and S. hauca n. sp.). Unlike most Tettigoniidae, Satizabalus exhibits a particular form of sexual dimorphism whereby the heads and mandibles of the males are greatly enlarged compared to the females. We suggest that Satizabalus is related to the genus Trichotettix, also found in cloud forests in Colombia, and not to Gnathoclita.

Vibrational imaging of metabolites for improved microbial cell strains.

Significance: Biomanufacturing utilizes modified microbial systems to sustainably produce commercially important biomolecules for use in agricultural, energy, food, material, and pharmaceutical industries. However, technological challenges related to non-destructive and high-throughput metabolite screening need to be addressed to fully unlock the potential of synthetic biology and sustainable biomanufacturing. Aim: This perspective outlines current analytical screening tools used in industrial cell strain development programs and introduces label-free vibrational spectro-microscopy as an alternative contrast mechanism. Approach: We provide an overview of the analytical instrumentation currently used in the "test" portion of the design, build, test, and learn cycle of synthetic biology. We then highlight recent progress in Raman scattering and infrared absorption imaging techniques, which have enabled improved molecular specificity and sensitivity. Results: Recent developments in high-resolution chemical imaging methods allow for greater throughput without compromising the image contrast. We provide a roadmap of future work needed to support integration with microfluidics for rapid screening at the single-cell level. Conclusions: Quantifying the net expression of metabolites allows for the identification of cells with metabolic pathways that result in increased biomolecule production, which is essential for improving the yield and reducing the cost of industrial biomanufacturing. Technological advancements in vibrational microscopy instrumentation will greatly benefit biofoundries as a complementary approach for non-destructive cell screening.