A measuring device for measuring parameters of a piezoelectric crystal onto which a thin film of material is deposited (under vacuum). The crystal includes two spaced-apart electrodes. A frequency generator is adapted to generate an oscillator signal at a specified output frequency. A measuring amplifier is adapted to apply the oscillator signal as a drive signal to one of the electrodes of the crystal and to provide a crystal output signal in response to the drive signal. A quadrature demodulator is adapted to down convert the crystal output signal and to provide an in-phase output signal and a quadrature output signal. A computation unit is adapted to determine one or more parameters of the crystal based on the in-phase output signal and the quadrature output signal. Furthermore, there is provided a corresponding measuring method as well as to thin-film deposition systems (including a vacuum chamber) with such a device and methods for controlling such systems.

A system for detecting cracks in an underwater structure can include an acoustic signal transmitter configured to be disposed proximate to, but without physically contacting, the underwater structure, where the acoustic signal transmitter is configured to emit acoustic signals. The system can also include an acoustic field receiver configured to be disposed proximate to, but without physically contacting, the underwater structure, where the acoustic field receiver is configured to receive resulting acoustic fields. The system can further include a controller that is configured to receive the resulting acoustic fields from the acoustic field receiver. The controller can also be configured to analyze the resulting acoustic fields signal. The controller can further be configured to detect, based on analyzing the resulting acoustic fields, a crack in the underwater structure.

The present application provides systems and methods for measuring cell function or tissue function. More particularly, the present application provides systems and methods for determining cell or tissue contractility using ultrasound; systems and methods for measuring the effect an agent has on cell or tissue contractility using ultrasound; and systems and methods for determining material properties of a material using ultrasound.

A device and method for analyzing structures within a medium. The device may include: at least one acoustic signal transmitter and acoustic signal receiver configured to output an acoustic signal and to receive an acoustic signal; an analyzer configured to analyze received acoustic data; a signal modifier configured to modify the acoustic signal of the acoustic signal transmitter or acoustic signal receiver; and control circuitry for controlling analysis of the structure. The control circuitry is configured to: initiate analysis of a first portion of the structure by controlling the signal modifier to apply a signal modification to the transmitter or the receiver to modify respective acoustic signals according to first modification data; and initiate analysis of a second portion of the structure by controlling the signal modifier to apply a signal modification to the transmitter or the receiver to modify respective acoustic signals according to second modification data.

The present disclosure relates to methods of extracting rare and precious metals (RPMs) from a substrate, in particular from recyclable materials such as electronic waste and exhaust cataly sators. The extraction is based on subjecting regions of interest of the substrate comprising the RPMs to focused high intensity ultrasound waves.