Normal and malignant mammary epithelial cells were studied using laboratory measurements, wavelet analysis, and numerical simulations of monolayer cell cultures to determine whether microscopic breast cancer can be detected in vitro with high-frequency ultrasound. Pulse-echo waveforms were acquired by immersing a broadband, unfocused 50-MHz transducer in the growth media of cell culture well plates and collecting the first reflection from the well bottoms. The simulations included a multilayer pulse-reflection model and a model of two-dimensional arrays of spherical cells and nuclei. The results show that normal and malignant cells produce time-domain signals and spectral features that are significantly different.
Knowledge of the spatial distribution and evolution of embedded charge in thin dielectric materials has important applications in semiconductor, high-power electronic device, high-voltage DC power cable insulation, high-energy and plasma physics apparatus, and spacecraft industries. Knowing how, where, and how much charge accumulates and how it redistributes and dissipates can predict destructive charging effects. Pulsed Electro-acoustic (PEA) measurementsand two closely related methods, Pressure Wave Propagation (PWP) and Laser Intensity Modulation (LIMM)nondestructively probe such internal charge distributions. We review the instrumentation, methods, theory and signal processing of simple PEA experiments, as well as the related PPW and LIMM methods. We emphasize system improvements required to achieve high spatial resolution for in vacuo measurements of thin dielectrics charged using electron beam injection.
In aerospace applications, composite materials are generally used as load bearing structures. It is the role of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) to provide input concerning deviations in material properties (such as flaws) to structural analysis models so that structural performance predictions can be made.Since composite analytical models require material mechanical properties as input. NDE can best serve analysis by providing quantitative measurements o t these properties. Because most composite structures are designed to carry in-plane loads, NDE should ideally provide information about in-plane mechanical properties such as strengths and stiffnesses. This paper discusses the importance of quantitative NDE and also describes work that is directed at the development of ultrasonic BDE techniques which are sensitive to in-plane elastic properties of composite laminates.
Abstract. An eddy current method was developed to inspect cup-shaped steel parts from the I.D. side. During the manufacturing process of these parts, a thin Al tape foil is applied to the I.D. side of the part. One of the critical process parameters is that only one foil layer can be applied. An eddy current inspection system was developed to reject parts with more than one foil layer. The Al tape foil is cut to length to fit the inner diameter, however, after application of the foil there is a gap created between the beginning and end of the foil. It was found that this gap interfered with the eddy current inspection causing a false positive indication. To solve this problem a sensor design and data analysis process were developed to overcome the effects of these gaps. The developed system incorporates simultaneous measurements from multiple eddy current sensors and signal processing to achieve a reliable inspection.
This paper discusses our effort to develop advanced pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) measurement system capabilities that incorporate (1) improved signal processing tools for increased signal/noise ratios; and (2) integrated PEA modeling tools. In addition, we emphasize state-of-the-art system electronic components, integrated environmental controls, and sensor improvements required to achieve high spatial resolution while maintaining reasonable temporal resolution for both ambient and in vacuo measurements of thin dielectrics charged using electron beam injection, which is most applicable for spacecraft charging tests. PEA measurement systems provide an important tool to investigate the spatial extent and dynamic evolution of embedded charge distributions in thin dielectric materials. This knowledge has important applications in spacecraft industries, as well as for semiconductors, high-power electronic devices, high-voltage DC power cable insulation, and high-energy and plasma physics apparatus. The emphasis of this paper is on improved signal processing methods and integrated PEA modeling tools.
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