Abstract: A droplet deposition apparatus includes a standing wave generator including ultrasonic wave oscillators, a droplet supplier to supply a droplet, a workpiece retainer to retain a workpiece in a predetermined space, and a controller configured or programmed to execute causing the standing wave generator to form a standing wave in the space, causing the droplet supplier to supply the droplet to a node of the standing wave generated in the space, and bringing close to each other a predetermined position on the workpiece retained by the workpiece retainer and the node of the standing wave to which the droplet is supplied, to cause the droplet retained at the node of the standing wave to be deposited onto the workpiece.

Abstract: A fluid level detection apparatus includes a vibrator, a vibration sensor, and a controller. The vibrator is configured to apply a vibration to a container that contains a fluid. The vibration sensor is configured to detect a vibration wave that is generated by the vibrator and propagates through the container. The controller is configured to control an operation of the vibrator and perform arithmetic processing on a detection signal obtained from the vibration sensor. The vibrator and the vibration sensor are provided on an outer wall surface of the container at respective positions that interpose, from above and below, a fluid level of the fluid provided in the container. The controller is configured to calculate a height of the fluid level, on the basis of the vibration wave detected by the vibration sensor.

Abstract: An acoustical non-contact levitation system and method for eliciting the deformation response of biological samples, coupled with the data analysis to yield quantitative measures of established time-dependent viscoelastic material properties. Embodiments allow for measurement to occur in near-real-time by way of a computer. In use, a biological sample is placed in an acoustic levitator, where it is induced to oscillate, such that material properties of the sample can be observed and analyzed by way of a camera and/or photodiode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for the modulation of an acoustic field for providing tactile sensations. A method of creating haptic feedback using ultrasound is provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of ultrasound waves with a common focal point using a phased array of ultrasound transducers, the common focal point being a haptic feedback point, and modulating the generation of the ultrasound waves using a waveform selected to produce little or no audible sound at the haptic feedback point.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a gel sheet comprising an intermediate base, having no variation in adhesiveness. A gel sheet 1 comprising a gel material 10 and an intermediate base 20 embedded in the gel material 10, wherein when T represents the thickness of the gel sheet 1, and S represents the amplitude of the intermediate base 20, a relation represented by the following expression (1) is satisfied: S/T?0.

Abstract: Methods of determining movement and devices that can be configured to function as an accelerometer, a gyroscope or a magnetometer and is comprised of a sensing element suspended by acoustic waves, and a measurement system capable of determining the position, or rotation of the sensing element without introducing any residual force on the sensing element. The acoustic suspension of the sensing element provides a virtually friction, and torque free method of constraining the sensing element, but not hindering its ability to sense accelerations, rotations or magnetic fields.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in the form of a method or corresponding apparatus for receiving or transmitting network communications carried at acoustic wavelengths via an acoustic medium. The corresponding method or apparatus may include a gate-level digital hardware module communicatively coupled to a communications module and define therein logic blocks configured to perform respective primitive processing functions, sequences of the logic blocks being capable of processing data units in accordance with any of the multiple communications protocols on a data unit-by-data unit basis without reconfiguring.

Abstract: A method and a system for resolving a crystal structure of a crystal at atomic resolution by collecting X-ray diffraction images. The method includes the steps: a) ejecting a droplet of fluid comprising single or multiple of crystal into an ultrasonic acoustic levitator; b) levitating the droplet of fluid with the crystal in the ultrasonic acoustic levitator; b) monitoring the position and the spinning of the droplet with a visualization apparatus; c) applying X-ray to the crystal, the X-ray stemming from an X-ray source; and d) detecting the X-ray diffraction images from the crystal irradiated by the X-ray source by an X-ray detector being capable to capture two dimensional diffraction patterns.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for the location of oil and gas deposits are disclosed. The technology is based on the recording of natural (i.e. not man-made) oscillations of oil and gas environments under the influence of the energy of resonances of the gravitational tides. The recording is performed by low-frequency geophones (0.1-10 Hz). The resonances are recorded, graphed, and analyzed. The time of the onset of the resonances of 14-day gravitational tides is pre-calculated by adding the tidal waves from the Moon, the Sun, and the stress wave arising in the Earth's lithosphere in connection with the periodic oscillation of the position of the barycenter of the Earth-Moon system. The calculation of the time of the onset allows for the prediction of optimal times for surveying according to the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An system, and method are disclosed for harmonic modulation of standing wavefields for spatial focusing, manipulation, and patterning of particles, cells, powders, aerosols, colloids, and solids using a multifrequency wave source, a chamber a control module and an analysis module to generate standard wavefields useful for tissue engineering, micro fabrication, therapeutic treatment, and diagnostic tests.

Abstract: An ultrasound gel is provided for use with internal ultrasound imaging and/or therapy. The gel can have acoustic properties that can closely match a soft tissue to be imaged/treated and can be of a high viscosity that is maintained when heated by the body. In some embodiments, the gel can act as a lubricant and, although water based, can be hydrophobic and not dissolve in bodily fluids. In some embodiments, the gel can be sterile, safe for ingestion, and include a preservative. The gel can be used for oral or non-oral applications and when used orally, can comprise a dental agent for inhibiting growth of dental microorganisms and/or prevent respiratory infections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piezoelectric oscillating device, which comprises a multi-section guiding component and an oscillation generating component, the multi-section guiding component including a plurality of guiding units, each guiding unit having a hollow space, the plurality of guiding units being connected together along a longitudinal direction in such a manner that the hollow spaces are connected in series to form the multi-section guiding component, and a guiding channel is formed inside the multi-section guiding component by connecting the plurality of hollow spaces in series, the oscillation generating component including a housing unit and a piezoelectric component, the housing unit being connected to an end of the multi-section guiding component in the longitudinal direction, the piezoelectric component being disposed in a disposing space in the housing unit and oscillating via a control of a piezoelectric signal.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is provided for electrical signals. The measuring apparatus includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to A/D-convert an analog signal to be measured, and an integrator configured to perform integration time processing for a plurality of digital values output from the A/D converter based on an integration time. The integrator is configured to output a plurality of measured values obtained by the integration time processing. A noise level calculation unit is configured to calculate a noise level of the analog signal to be measured from the plurality of measured values obtained by the integration time processing, and a display unit is configured to display noise levels corresponding to a plurality of integration times.

Abstract: A device for inspecting a workpiece surface includes a sensor, a sonotrode having a sound-emitting surface and rigidly connected to the sensor to form a sensor unit, and a movable positioning device coupled with the sensor unit to position the sensor unit in a position opposite to the workpiece surface. The positioning device includes a force-applying member to urge the sensor unit in a direction of the workpiece or strip material surface by applying a predefined urging force or using gravity as the urging force. The sound-emitting surface of the sonotrode generates ultrasonic oscillations to produce an ultrasonic levitation force field in the presence of a gaseous medium between the workpiece surface and the sound-emitting surface to thereby generate a counterforce in opposition to the urging force so that the sensor unit is held hovering at a distance to the workpiece or strip surface.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided featuring an acoustic driver and a transducer. The acoustic driver is configured to provide an acoustic driver signal having a frequency that can be adjusted to yield a given wavelength, which in turn, will selectively capture a particular particle size of particles in a fluid, mixture or process flow. The transducer is configured to respond to the acoustic driver signal and provide an acoustic signal having a standing wave at the frequency in order to yield the given wavelength that will selectively capture the particular particle size of the particles in the fluid, mixture or process flow, in order to determine the mass of the particles having the particular particle size in the fluid, mixture or process flow.

Abstract: The invention provides a micro scaled method and system for separating a subgroup of cells and/or particles from a mixture of different types of cells and/or particles in a suspension. The suspension is forced under pressure into an inlet and further into a pre-alignment channel wherein the suspension is subjected to a two dimensional acoustic force directed perpendicular to the length direction of the pre-alignment channel. The suspension is then forced into a second inlet and further into at least one separation channel wherein the mixture of cells and/or particles are forced towards the walls of the channel and subjected to a one dimensional acoustic force directed perpendicular to the length direction of the separation channel. Cells and/or particles having the same size and/or mass density and/or compressibility are collected through at least two outlets.

Abstract: The emission of variable ultrasonic sound waves from a plurality of sound sources is controlled based on controlled signals generated by a controller. The plurality of sound sources emit ultrasonic waves towards a surface based on the control signals, creating a force which causes particles within a region proximate the surface to move in a desired manner with respect to the surface. The movement of the particles with respect to the surface changes the appearance of the surface. In this manner, the appearance of the surface may be changed in a desired manner to suit needs for home automation and security.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a sound source direction estimation apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a generator, a comparator, and an estimator. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire acoustic signals of a plurality of channels from a plurality of microphones. The generator is configured to calculate a phase difference of the acoustic signals of the plurality of channels for each predetermined frequency bin to generate a phase difference distribution. The comparator is configured to compare the phase difference distribution with a template generated in advance for each direction, and calculate a score in accordance with similarity between the phase difference distribution and the template for each direction. The estimator is configured to estimate a direction of a sound source based on the scores calculated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring a nanostructured coating on a metal surface by using an intense shock wave generated by continuous explosion of a laser-induced plasma is provided. The method comprises: irradiating a laser beam on a black paint surface of an upper opening of a high pressure resistant glass pipe having a black paint strip arranged therein; the black paint absorbing the light energy and producing a plasma; generating an initial plasma explosion shock wave; transmitting the initial plasma explosion shock wave in the high pressure resistant glass pipe; generating a plasma cloud reaching a lower opening of a glass catheter; and, the shock wave pressure outputted embedding nanoparticles into a surface of a workpiece. The apparatus comprises the high pressure-resistant glass pipe with a zigzagging switchback shape or a spiral and inverted cone shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for transporting and holding of touch-sensitive structural elements or materials, the device comprising the following features: At least an oscillatory plate-like take-up 2 for receiving the object to be transported or held, on which at least an oscillation generator 3 is fixed, and at least two supporting members 4, wherein the oscillation generator 3 is arranged on the plate-like take-up 2 at a predetermined position thereof to set the plate-like take-up into flexural vibrations, and the supporting members 4 are arranged at positions where the amplitude of the flexural vibration is lower than the maximum amplitude by at least 50%, and the oscillation generator 3 is operated with a frequency setting the plate-like take-up 2 into vibrations so that the structural elements or the material are (is) levitating in a contact-free way.

Abstract: A megaphone comprises a rigid but bendable material with a tapered shape. When the material is folded, the produced megaphone has a small opening at one end and a larger opening at the other end. The megaphone has edges that form an opening along the side such that when pressure is applied to the edges the opening expands allowing the megaphone to be positioned on a person's arm or leg. Once positioned on the arm of leg the rigidity of the material causes the megaphone return to its original cone shape. The megaphone can enclose around a user's arm or leg for storage purposes during an event. Information can be displayed on the surface of the megaphone. The megaphone of the present invention can be folded and unfolded.

Abstract: A device for generating a floating state of an object by sound waves includes a rigid support structure having a top surface for absorbing forces generated by the gravitation or acceleration of the levitating object and perpendicularly acting on the top surface. A thin oscillatory element is arranged in parallel to the top surface. Further provided is a vibration generator for making the thin oscillatory element vibrating and levitating above the top surface so that the object is levitating above the thin oscillatory element without contacting it.

Abstract: A supersonic boom simulator constructed from a directed coherent sound pulse source, a waveguide and a bass trap at the opposite end of the waveguide from the directed coherent sound pulse source.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method are disclosed for eliminating a noise signal from at least one source during an acoustic measurement of a subsurface geological formation or borehole. The apparatus (10) includes a longitudinal body for positioning in the borehole and a transmitter (22) supported by the body for transmitting acoustic signals into the formation and borehole. A sensor (23), substantially isolated within the body, is used to detect one or more noise signals and a receiver (24) is carried by the body for receiving acoustic signals traversing the formation and borehole, and for receiving one or more noise signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for orienting and for coupling geophones relative to soil. A hammer device oriented to the vertical drives a head into the soil to generate a case opening. Vertical orientation of the case opening and depth automatically orients a geophone case to vertical and further controls the coupling of the geophone to the soil. Such combination facilitates orientation of the geophone to the selected compass heading and significantly reduces corrective data processing. Control over case opening placement in different soil conditions is automatically provided, and data regarding local position and orientation is recorded for future data processing. Operator errors are reduced and overall production efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A mechanism for the contactless gripping and positioning of a component having a planar peripheral edge region, including a sound producing device producing a pattern of levitation sound waves for keeping the component in suspension at a selected position. The sound producing device is configured wherein only the peripheral edge region of the component lies in the sound wave pattern to be acted upon thereby and is fixed in the sound wave pattern by Bernoulli forces. The total surface area of the sound producing device is less than the component's total surface area facing the sound producing device.

Abstract: A gas flow generator for use in a position control apparatus having an oscillating motion driver, a chamber having a side wall extending outwardly from the oscillatory motion generating surface of the driver, a distal end wall spaced from the driver and joined with the side wall, and one or more gas flow orifices provided in the end wall.

Abstract: A self-firing and self-propelling gas impulse device which includes a housing having a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet port, and one or more gas discharge ports; an inlet chamber, arranged for gas communication with a source of compressed gas via the inlet port and operative to receive compressed gas therefrom; a pressurization chamber arranged for gas communication with the inlet chamber thereby to facilitate a build-up of pressurized gas therein, and arranged for selectable gas communication with the one or more discharge ports; and a piston unit arranged along the longitudinal axis of the housing between the inlet chamber and the pressurization chamber.