A diffuse acoustic confocal imager device for use with a data analyzer for providing a three dimensional and state information on an object based on an at least one phase image, the device comprising a coherent acoustic source for producing an acoustic confocal beam ranging from about 0.5 megahertz to about 100 megahertz, an acoustic coherent beam focuser for focusing the acoustic coherent beam to a virtual source, an acoustic detector for detecting an at least one diffusely scattered beam from the virtual source and a vector network analyzer, which is for measuring a phase of the acoustic confocal beam and a phase of the at least one diffusely scattered beam to provide the at least one phase image, the vector network analyzer in electronic communication with each of the coherent acoustic source and the acoustic detector. A method of detecting and treating diseases such as prostate cancer and ovarian cancer is also provided.

According to one embodiment, a testing device of a turbine blade includes: a non-compressive elastic medium brought into close contact with a platform of the turbine blade in a state fastened to a turbine rotor; a probe which has piezoelectric elements arranged in an array and transmits ultrasound waves toward a fastening portion of the turbine blade through the elastic medium and receives echo waves; and a display portion for imaging an internal region of the fastening portion on the basis of the echo waves and displaying the same.

Systems and methods for inspecting a hole in a laminated structure. An exemplary system includes a transducer assembly configured to direct sound waves substantially parallel to a surface of the hole. The system further includes a controller that collects A-scan data for multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly as the transducer assembly is rotated within the hole. The controller processes the A-scan data for the multiple rotational positions of the transducer assembly to generate B-scan data, and displays the B-scan data.

Proactively identifying and interdicting transport of commodities associated with illicit nuclear materials and nuclear weapons shielded by high Z-number materials, such as lead, can help ensure effective nuclear nonproliferation. In an embodiment, a method for imaging an object on a surface includes exciting a surface with ultrasonic excitation from an ultrasonic transmitter having an ultrasonic transducer in contact with the surface. The method further includes imaging, at a processor, a two-dimensional representation of the object acoustically coupled to the surface based on the ultrasonic reflections received at an ultrasonic receiver via a receiving transducer in contact with the surface. This method can complement existing x-ray screening systems to increase the odds of detecting radiological materials.

A photoacoustic microscope objective lens unit includes: an objective lens which irradiates a sample with excitation light L; a photoacoustic wave detection unit which detects a photoacoustic wave U generated from the sample; and a photoacoustic wave guide system. The photoacoustic wave guide system includes: a photoacoustic wave separation member; and an acoustic lens that is disposed between the photoacoustic wave separation member and the sample and has a focus position that substantially matches with a focus position of the objective lens. The acoustic lens is obtained by cementing a main acoustic lens and a correction acoustic lens to each other. The main acoustic lens and the correction acoustic lens satisfy predetermined Conditional Expressions.

A photoacoustic microscope objective lens unit includes: an objective lens which irradiates a sample with excitation light L; a photoacoustic wave detection unit which detects a photoacoustic wave U generated from the sample; and a photoacoustic wave guide system. The photoacoustic wave guide system includes: a photoacoustic wave separation member; and an acoustic lens that is disposed between the photoacoustic wave separation member and the sample and has a focus position that substantially matches with a focus position of the objective lens. The acoustic lens is obtained by cementing a main acoustic lens and a correction acoustic lens to each other. The main acoustic lens and the correction acoustic lens satisfy predetermined Conditional Expressions.

Methods that provide wrinkle characterization and performance prediction for wrinkled composite structures using automated structural analysis. In accordance with some embodiments, the method combines the use of B-scan ultrasound data, automated optical measurement of wrinkles and geometry of cross-sections, and finite element analysis of wrinkled composite structure to provide the ability to assess the actual significance of a detected wrinkle relative to the intended performance of the structure. The disclosed method uses an ultrasonic inspection system that has been calibrated by correlating ultrasonic B-scan data acquired from reference standards with measurements of optical cross sections (e.g., micrographs) of those reference standards.

A system and method directed to displaying images and presenting the data from the phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) inspection of a plurality of welded joints within a welded object. The system includes an engine comprising memory, a graphical user interface (GUI), an export module, a transformation module, and a merger module each operably coupled to one another. The export module is used to extract images and data from the PAUT inspection of the welded joints. The exported information is used by the transformation module to create a multi-dimensional representation of the PAUT inspected welded joint for each joint. The merger module combines the information from the export module and the transformation module into an evaluation report for each PAUT inspected welded joint and assembles the evaluation report into a master report for analysis. The system may be communicatively coupled over a network using a network interface.

The invention relates to non-destructive imaging of the internal structure for safe and intuitive operator work. In the context of the invented method, electronic scanning first creates a virtual image of the surface of the object (5) whose internal structure is the subject of research. Part of the surface of the object (5) and the angle of scanning are set by voice or by movement of the operator's body (9). The virtual image of the surface of the object (5) is subsequently projected in the stereoscopic glasses (7), followed by creation of the virtual image of the internal structure of the object (5) for the same angle of scanning. The virtual image of the internal structure is projected in the virtual image of the surface of the object (5), or replaces the virtual image of the object (5).

The invention relates to a method for detecting and characterizing defects in a heterogenous material via ultrasound. Said method includes the following steps: —emitting ultrasound waves from an emitting ultrasound transducer placed against the material; —acquiring, by means of a receiving ultrasound transducer in various positions relative to said material, a plurality of time signals, representing the amplitude of the sound propagated in the material as a function of time, for a position of the receiving ultrasound transducers, —determining a time function representing a spatially averaged power of the time signals that correspond to different positions of the receiving transducer; and —normalizing the time signals by means of said time function so a to obtain normalized time signals. The defects in the material are detected from said normalized time signal.