Disclosed are a system and method for evaluating a tissue sample that has been removed from a subject. Movement of fluid through the tissue sample is monitored by measuring time of flight of acoustic waves passed through the tissue sample. A system for performing the method can include a transmitter that outputs the energy and a receiver configured to detect the transmitted energy. Using the disclosed method and system, an optimized protocol for ensuring adequate distribution of the fluid throughout a variety of tissue types and/or sample sizes can be developed and utilized.

Methods and systems for measuring pipe parameters using guided acoustic wave modes are provided. The method includes receiving data corresponding to an acoustic signal, wherein the data are obtained by transmitting an excitation pulse at a specified frequency and detecting the resulting acoustic signal using an acoustic transducer attached to the outer surface of the pipe wall. The method includes analyzing the data to identify guided acoustic wave modes including at least two of: a C-SH acoustic wave mode that travels within the pipe wall; a C-LT acoustic wave mode that travels within the near-surface region of the pipe wall; and/or a CA acoustic wave mode that travels within the pipe cavity. The method includes calibrating the parameter measurement using the C-SH acoustic wave mode and determining the parameter measurement based on the phase velocity and/or the amplitude of the C-LT acoustic wave mode and/or the CA acoustic wave mode.

The present invention pertains to a method and experimental apparatus for studying properties of cement slurry to be used in an oil or gas well under varied pressure and temperature conditions. This apparatus can be used to predict the likelihood of gas migration, compressive strength and static gel strength of cement slurry. It comprises a servo motor and coupling magnets to drive a paddle at a very slow speed through the cement in a pressure vessel, a pair of acoustic transducers to generate an acoustic signal and measure the transit time of the acoustic signal after it transits the cement, and a gas injection system to predict the severity of gas migration in cement.

A method of measuring a pressure of a fluid adjacent a wall of a pipe or vessel. A transducer is attached to the wall of the pipe or vessel. A signal is transmitted by the transducer at a characteristic frequency via a plurality of guided wave modes. The characteristic frequency is a frequency at which the guided wave modes are separated in time from each other when received. The signal is received after the plurality of guided wave modes travel in or through the wall a predetermined number of times. The signal has a signal receipt time after the predetermined number of times. The pressure of the fluid is calculated using the signal receipt time.

An apparatus, system, program product, and method are disclosed for determining the microstructure and properties of materials using acoustic signal processing. An apparatus includes a one or more sensors for sensing information describing a multiphase material using sound waves. The apparatus includes a processor operably coupled to the one or more sensors and a memory that stores code executable by the processor. The code is executable by the processor to receive sound-wave input from the one or more sensors, perform one or more quantitative analyses on the received sound-wave input in the frequency domain, and determine a microstructure of the multiphase material based on results from the one or more quantitative analyses.

According to one embodiment, a molecular sensor contains a sensitive film in which a porous member and an ionic liquid coexist. The molecular sensor is capable of detecting a target molecule by measuring a change in physical quantity of the sensitive film due to adsorption of the target molecule to the sensitive film.

Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasive detection of chemicals within objects. An object comprised of cellulose material is placed inside an examination chamber, which is sealed. A first measurement of the speed of sound waves traveling through the chamber is taken to establish a baseline. The chamber is heated to liberate any stored chemicals within the object and a second measurement is taken. An expected difference is compared to an actual difference in measurements to determine if hidden chemicals are present.

A method of determining a mixing state of a medium in a container includes: transmitting a plurality of acoustic signals at least partly through the medium and receiving the plurality of acoustic signals after at least partly traversing the medium; determining at least one propagation value of at least one propagation quantity for each of the plurality of received acoustic signals to provide determined propagation values, each at least one propagation quantity being indicative of an interaction of the acoustic signals with the medium; determining at least one fluctuation value of at least one fluctuation quantity based on the determined propagation values to provide a determined at least one fluctuation value, each at least one fluctuation quantity being indicative of and/or correlating with a variance of the determined propagation values and/or with a state of a mixture; and determining the mixing state of the medium.

Systems and methods are disclosed for non-invasive detection of chemicals within objects. An object comprised of cellulose material is placed inside an examination chamber, which is sealed. A first measurement of the speed of sound waves traveling through the chamber is taken to establish a baseline. The chamber is heated to liberate any stored chemicals within the object and a second measurement is taken. An expected difference is compared to an actual difference in measurements to determine if hidden chemicals are present.

A method for determining multi-phase flow properties of a fluid is disclosed. The method includes measuring a first time for a first ultrasonic signal to be emitted from a first transducer into the fluid, reflected off an inner surface of the pipeline, and received back at the first transducer. Measuring a second time for the first ultrasonic signal to be emitted from the first transducer into the fluid and received at a second transducer. Calculating, using the first time and the second time, at least one of: a liquid to gas ratio, a fluid density, a gas holdup, a liquid holdup, and a fluid velocity of the fluid flowing through the pipeline.