Systems and methods for dewatering slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more transducer devices configured for acoustic spectroscopy and/or electroacoustic spectroscopy are used to determine a parameter related to the particle size distribution (e.g., specific surfaced area) and/or zeta potential of the slurry.

The invention relates to a method and a device for quantitive determination of a number and size of particulate components contained in a medium flowing along a flow channel. Ultrasonic waves are coupled into the flowing medium, which are reflected at least partially by the particulate components and reflected ultrasonic wave portions which are detected in a ultrasonic time signals, on which the quantitive determination is based. Amplitude values associated with the individual ultrasonic time signals, are detected which are each greater than an amplitude threshold value established for each ultrasonic time signal: The detected amplitude values are assigned to values describing the size and the number of the particulate components.

A method for probing mechanical properties of cellular bodies includes: providing a plurality of particles in a fluid medium contained in a holding space of a sample holder, each of the plurality of particle being attached to a cellular body; generating a resonant bulk acoustic wave in the holding space, the resonant bulk acoustic wave exerting an acoustic force on each of the plurality of particles, each of the plurality of particles having an acoustic contrast factor and a size, the acoustic contrast factor and the size being selected such that the force exerted on a particle is larger than the force exerted on the cellular body to which the particle is attached; measuring a displacement of a particle in response to the exertion of the force on the particle, the measured displacement being associated with a mechanical property of the cellular body attached to the particle.

An apparatus to determine the concentration of a target component in a mixture, the apparatus including at least one acoustic transducer located within the mixture, a controller generating a signal for the at least one acoustic transducer that's generating an acoustic signal in the mixture and transmitting same toward the target component within the mixture, wherein the acoustic signal is generated with a known power level, and a processor for measuring change in the power level of the at least one acoustic transducer as the acoustic signal is transmitted through the mixture, wherein the magnitude of the change in signal power determines the concentration of the target component in the mixture.

Systems and methods for measuring the properties (e.g., mechanical properties) of particles such as biological entities, in a fluidic channel(s) are generally provided. In some embodiments, the systems and methods comprise measuring an acoustic scattering of single particles. For example, a single particle (e.g., a biological entity) may be flowed in a suspended fluidic channel (e.g., a suspended microfluidic channel) and the fluidic channel is oscillated at or near a (mechanical) resonant frequency (e.g., at a second or higher bending mode) of the suspended fluidic channel. In some cases, an acoustic scattering signal (e.g., the change in resonant frequency of the fluidic channel as the particle flows along a longitudinal axis of the channel) may correspond to a property (e.g., a mechanical property, a cross-linking density, a transport rate of small molecules into/out of the particle) of the particle. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods comprise determining a node deviation due to a single particle (or node deviations for a plurality of particles).

The present invention comprises methods and systems that use acoustic radiation pressure.

A sensor probe for analysis of a fluid includes a base, and a pair of electrodes and a pair of shield members protruding from the base for insertion into the fluid. The electrodes have electrical oscillations generated therein for measurement of electromagnetic properties of the fluid, such as permittivity. The shield members are disposed outside the electrodes and have a dual purpose of electromagnetically shielding the electrodes and having vibrations generated therein for measurement of physical parameters of the fluid, such as density or viscosity. Thus, the single sensor probe can provide measurements of both electromagnetic properties and physical properties of the fluid.

There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining a density value of a fresh concrete sample using an acoustic probe assembly. The acoustic probe assembly has an acoustic path, an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal along the acoustic path, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal after propagation along the acoustic path. The acoustic probe assembly is configured and adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal indicative of a duration of time taken by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic emitter to the acoustic receiver across the fresh concrete sample. The method generally has a step of determining the duration of time based on the electromagnetic signal, a step of matching the duration to a density value using reference data, and a step of displaying the density value.

A well tool can be used in a wellbore that can measure characteristics of an object in the wellbore. The well tool includes an ultrasonic transducer for generating an ultrasonic wave in a medium of the wellbore. The ultrasonic transducer includes a front layer, a rear layer, backing material coupled to the rear layer, and piezoelectric material coupled to the front layer and to the backing material. The rear layer can improve signal-to-noise ratio of the transducer in applications such as imaging and caliper applications.

A method and system for receiving calibration information including a first power spectral density (PSD) value and a first sand concentration value at a particular frequency. Data is collected in a liquid flow at the particular frequency at a first depth in a downhole environment. A second power spectral density (PSD) value is then determined for the data in the liquid flow at the particular frequency. The second PSD value being compared with the first PSD value. Sand can also be determined to be present in the liquid flow when the second PSD value is greater than the first PSD value by a predefined threshold. A second sand concentration value of the sand present in the liquid flow being quantified based on the first sand concentration value.