Matching Layer Research Articles

A hybrid simulation approach for frictional vibration and noise of wiper-windshield system based on rigid-flexible and acoustic-structure coupling models

Automotive wiper-windshield friction noise is one of the important factors affecting the vehicle interior sound quality. Due to its transient, nonlinear, and uncertain characteristics, the wiper-windshield friction noise has always been a problem in vehicle engineering. Based on rigid-flexible and acoustic-structure coupling models, a hybrid simulation procedure for the friction-induced vibration and noise of a wiper-windshield system is presented in this paper. In light of the rigid-flexible coupled dynamic equations and acoustic-structure coupled automatic matched layer (AML) based on the finite element method (FEM), the software ANSYS Workbench and LMS Virtual. lab. is selected and used for modeling and simulating the frictional vibration and noise of the system under different working speeds and lubricating conditions. In the friction noise simulations, the calculated vibrational responses from the ANSYS are input into the LMS as the excitations of a virtual sound field in a vehicle cavity. Experimental verifications suggest that the proposed hybrid approach is effective and feasible for frictional vibration and noise simulation of the wiper-windshield system. The work done in this paper may provide theoretical and technical supports for acoustic design of wiper-windshield systems, and has guiding significance for interior sound-quality optimization and control of vehicles.

Durable and sustainable CoFe2O4@MXene-silver nanowires/cellulose nanofibers composite films with controllable electric–magnetic gradient towards high-efficiency electromagnetic interference shielding and Joule heating capacity

Exploring electromagnetic waves (EMW) absorption-dominated high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with robust mechanical properties and remarkable Joule heating capability is highly desired but remains a daunting challenge for the development of modern electronic equipment. Herein, durable and multifunctional cellulose nanofiber-based composite films with elaborate electric–magnetic dual gradient structure were successfully fabricated through highly controllable vacuum-assisted filtration technology. The electric–magnetic dual gradient network consists of CoFe2O4@MXene hybrids with electric–magnetic cooperative loss concentrated on the top region as impedance matching layer and silver nanowires (AgNWs) with high conductivity placed on the bottom as high-efficiency shielding layer. Benefiting from the construction of dual gradient network with rational arrangement of the impedance matching layer and conductive shielding layer, the synergy of electric–magnetic loss, polarization loss induced by the numerous heterointerfaces and “absorption-reflection-reabsorption” shielding mechanism, the resultant composite films simultaneously reveal ultraefficient EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) and low EMW reflectivity. The prepared composite films (0.1 mm in thickness) achieve an extraordinary EMI SE of 84.3 dB and a satisfactory reflection coefficient of 0.42, realizing EMW absorption-dominated shielding feature. Moreover, the mechanical properties and Joule heating capacity of the prepared composite films are outstanding, which mainly benefits from the construction of hierarchically layered structure. This work paves a novel route for designing and fabricating absorption-dominated high-performance EMI shielding composite films with durable mechanical performance and outstanding Joule heating capability, which are potentially suitable for new-generation advanced electronics.

An ultrasensitive and broadband transparent ultrasound transducer for ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in-vivo

Transparent ultrasound transducers (TUTs) can seamlessly integrate optical and ultrasound components, but acoustic impedance mismatch prohibits existing TUTs from being practical substitutes for conventional opaque ultrasound transducers. Here, we propose a transparent adhesive based on a silicon dioxide-epoxy composite to fabricate matching and backing layers with acoustic impedances of 7.5 and 4–6 MRayl, respectively. By employing these layers, we develop an ultrasensitive, broadband TUT with 63% bandwidth at a single resonance frequency and high optical transparency ( > 80%), comparable to conventional opaque ultrasound transducers. Our TUT maximises both acoustic power and transfer efficiency with maximal spectrum flatness while minimising ringdowns. This enables high contrast and high-definition dual-modal ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging in live animals and humans. Both modalities reach an imaging depth of > 15 mm, with depth-to-resolution ratios exceeding 500 and 370, respectively. This development sets a new standard for TUTs, advancing the possibilities of sensor fusion.

Towards a locally constructed multi-element ultrasound imaging transducer for resource poor environments

This paper investigates techniques and materials for making a multi-element ultrasound imaging transducer with craft-based techniques available in resource poor environments. The transducer housing can be conveniently divided into three parts: the body supporting the piezoelectric (PZT) elements and other components; the matching layer between the PZT elements and the human body; and the backing layer behind the PZT elements. Low-cost 3D printing systems based on photopolymers were found to be suitable for manufacturing the body. Finite Element Modelling (FEM) showed that the material characteristics of the backing layer and the thickness of the matching layer were much less critical than predicted by ultrasound plane wave theory and transmission line theory, respectively. The backing and matching layers are normally made from epoxy-tungsten composites that are pourable in the uncured state. However, the composite required for the backing layer was putty-like when uncured. When the tungsten was allowed to settle under gravity during curing, a 20 % by volume uncured tungsten-epoxy composite gave a 30 % by volume concentration of tungsten at the bottom when cured at 20–30 °C. These findings, when coupled with the findings from the FEM modelling, suggests that constructing a multi-element ultrasound imaging transducer using craft-based techniques is feasible.

A close look at the hydration layer and at the premelting layer of K-feldspar

In this work, we perform molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural properties of water at the interface with K-feldspar. We aim at understanding the modifications induced on water structure by the presence of this mineral. We analysed both the hydration layer of K-feldspar in supercooled water and the premelting layer at the interface between K-feldspar and hexagonal ice. We studied the density profile, the orientational tetrahedral order parameter, the distribution of the cos ⁡ ( γ ) function, the hydrogen bond distribution, the number of water molecules belonging to different phases close to the surface of the feldspar. We focused on the interplay between high-density water and low-density water to inquire on local modifications of water structure with respect to the bulk phase. We investigated four different pressures where the structure of bulk water spans from high-density liquid (locally more disordered) to low-density liquid (locally more ordered). The investigation showed that both the hydration and the premelting layers present a low-density liquid water component and similarities as a function of pressure with the corresponding bulk. We also find that the premelting layer shows structural features intermediate between the liquid and the crystalline state acting as a matching layer.

Ensuring Seismic Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Buildings

There are a large number of works on a comprehensive assessment of the seismic resistance of buildings and structures. However, these studies, as a rule, do not take into account the random nature of the seismic impact, which is a pronounced non-stationary random process. An adequate assessment of the seismic resistance of buildings and structures is possible only on the basis of methods that allow taking into account the large variability of seismic impact parameters. The article presents a probabilistic method for calculating multi-storey reinforced concrete buildings designed in seismic regions, taking into account the interaction of a building with a non-linearly deformable foundation. The developed technique makes it possible to provide the required level of seismic resistance for the designed buildings based on the non-collapse criterion. As an ex-ample, the calculation of a multi-storey reinforced concrete building is considered. External seismic action is represented as a non-stationary random process. The external seismic action is considered as a non-stationary random process, which is obtained by multiplying the stationary random process by a deterministic envelope function. The parameters necessary for constructing the envelope and the stationary random process were obtained from the results of processing the available database of intense earthquakes. The stationary random process was generated by the shaping filter method. The impact parameters are based on the results of processing the available database of intense earthquakes. When modeling reinforced concrete structures, a concrete model is used with the function of damage accumulation under cyclic loads, as well as taking into ac-count the degradation of the strength and stiffness of the material during an intense earthquake. Accounting for the interaction of the building with the soil base is implemented using the SSI interface (Soil Structure Interaction). To prevent the influence of waves reflected from the boundaries of a limited ground massif, a PML layer (Perfectly Matched Layer) is used. The calculation was carried out using explicit methods for integrating the equations of motion on a computing cluster using parallel computing technology. The presented technique makes it possible to investigate the nature of the destruction of reinforced concrete structures during intense earthquakes and to identify zones with a deficiency in bearing capacity. The proposed probabilistic approach to modeling seismic impact as an implementation of a non-stationary random process with given parameters, together with taking into account the nonlinear deformation of the reinforced concrete structures of the building and foundation, allows you to control the level of reliability and design buildings with a given seismic resistance.

A tightly‐coupled planar absorber with broadband and wide‐angle

AbstractMost planar absorbers are designed under normal incidence, leading to a sharp decline in absorber performance under oblique incidence, especially when the incidence angle exceeds 30°. Three‐dimensional structured absorbers ensure the performance of the absorber under oblique incidence, but they lack practicality due to their complex processing and assembly. In this letter, a tightly‐coupled planar absorber (TCPA) is proposed. Its design method combines the reciprocity principle and tightly‐coupled structure, incorporating a wide‐angle matching layer and interdigitated structures to improve planar absorber's performance under oblique incidence. A sample is fabricated and measured for verification. The measurement results show that the absorber has a fractional bandwidth of 102.0% with an absorption rate of at least 90% under normal incidence. When the incident angle reaches 50°, the absorber maintains good performance under both transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarization.

Bioinspired Fano-like resonant transmission: frequency selective impedance matching

The study of the impedance mismatch between the device and its surroundings is crucial when building an acoustic device to obtain optimal performance. In reality, a high impedance mismatch would prohibit energy from being transmitted over the interface, limiting the amount of energy that the device could treat. In general, this is solved by using acoustic impedance matching layers, such as gradients, similar to what is done in optical coatings. The simplest form of such a gradient can be considered as an intermediate layer with certain qualities resting between the two media to impedance match, and requiring a minimum thickness of at least one quarter wavelength of the lowest frequency under consideration. The desired combination(s) of the (limited) available elastic characteristics and densities has traditionally determined material selection. Nature, which is likewise limited by the use of a limited number of materials in the construction of biological structures, demonstrates a distinct approach in which the design space is swept by modifying certain geometrical and/or material parameters. The middle ear of mammals and the lateral line of fishes are both instances of this method, with the latter already incorporating an architecture of distributed impedance matched underwater layers. In this paper, we develop a resonant mechanism whose properties can be modified to give impedance matching at different frequencies by adjusting a small set of geometrical parameters. The mechanism in question, like the lateral line organ, is intended to serve as the foundation for the creation of an impedance matching meta-surface. A computational study and parameter optimization show that it can match the impedance of water and air in a deeply sub-wavelength zone.

Deep learning model for dynamic color design of all-dielectric metasurfaces.

Silicon nanostructure colors have rapidly developed in recent years, offering high resolution and a broad color gamut that traditional pigments cannot achieve. The reflected colors of metasurfaces are determined by the geometric structure of the unit cell and the refractive index matching layer parameters. It is evident that the design of specific colors involves numerous parameters, making it challenging to achieve through conventional calculations. Therefore, the tandem network instead of conventional electromagnetic simulation is natural. The forward part of the network incorporates feature cross terms to improve accuracy, enabling high-precision predictions of structural colors based on structural parameters. The average color difference between the predicted and actual color values in the L,a,b color space is 1.38. The network has been proven to accurately predict the refractive index and height of the refractive index matching layer during the dynamic tuning process. Additionally, the issue of the inverse network converging to incorrect solutions was addressed by leveraging the characteristics of the activation function. The results show that the color difference between the colors designed by the inverse network compared to the actual colors in the L,a,b color spaces is only 2.22, which meets the requirements for commercial applications.

High-Frequency Linear Array (20 MHz) Based on Lead-Free BCTZ Crystal.

Centimeter-sized BaTiO3-based crystals grown by top-seeded solution growth from the BaTiO3-CaTiO3-BaZrO3 system were used to process a high-frequency (HF) lead-free linear array. Piezoelectric plates with (110)pc cut within 1° accuracy were used to manufacture two 1-3 piezo-composites with thicknesses of 270 and [Formula: see text] for resonant frequencies in air of 10 and 30 MHz, respectively. The electromechanical characterization of the BCTZ crystal plates and the 10-MHz piezocomposite yielded the thickness coupling factors of 40% and 50%, respectively. We quantified the electromechanical performance of the second piezocomposite (30 MHz) according to the reduction in the pillar sizes during the fabrication process. The dimensions of the piezocomposite at 30 MHz were sufficient for a 128-element array with a 70- [Formula: see text] element pitch and a 1.5-mm elevation aperture. The transducer stack (backing, matching layers, lens, and electrical components) was tuned with the characteristics of the lead-free materials to deliver optimal bandwidth and sensitivity. The probe was connected to a real-time HF 128-channel echographic system for acoustic characterization (electroacoustic response and radiation pattern) and to acquire high-resolution in vivo images of human skin. The center frequency of the experimental probe was 20 MHz, and the fractional bandwidth at -6 dB was 41%. Skin images were compared against those obtained with a lead-based 20-MHz commercial imaging probe. Despite significant differences in sensitivity between elements, in vivo images obtained with a BCTZ-based probe convincingly demonstrated the potential of integrating this piezoelectric material in an imaging probe.

High-frequency wearable ultrasound array belt for small animal echocardiography.

Wearable ultrasound has been widely developed for long-term, continuous imaging without the need for bulky system manipulation and repeated manual locating. To potentially lead to more accurate and reliable imaging monitoring, this work presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of a novel high-frequency wearable ultrasound array belt (WUAB) for small animal echocardiography. The fabrication process involved precise dicing technology for a λ-pitch design. The 20 MHz WUAB consists of two matching layers, piezoelectric composite with 128 channels, customized flexible circuit substrate, acoustic backing layer, and customized belt structure with designed end tip and insertion point for wearability. The resulting WUAB demonstrates sensitivity of -5.69 ± 2.5 dB and fractional bandwidth of 57 ± 5 %. In vivo experiments on rat model showed expected echocardiography and B-mode images of rat heart. These results represent significant promise for future longitudinal studies in small animals and real-time physiological monitoring.

Matching method of flat layered-uniform lenses

A novel matching method of flat layered-uniform lens antennas is suggested, which assumes introducing the matching layers on both surfaces of the lens. The evaluations of the layers parameters are obtained on the base of simultaneous satisfaction of the focusing condition and the matching condition. The proposed method provides matching of flat layered-uniform lenses in which the required radial dependence of effective dielectric constant is achieved due to the perforation of through holes in dielectric plate following to the certain law. The matching layers may be implemented by means of drilling on the certain deep the holes of larger diameter on the existing holes in the dielectric plate. The full wave analysis of matched and unmatched flat lenses undertaken by means of finite integration method confirms the reduction of power losses caused media mismatching. In the case of flat lens with the diameter and the focus distance equal to 5λ and the thickness of dielectric plate equal to λ the improvement of the lens matching provides increasing of gain by 2 dB within frequency band 13%. The side lobe level including back lobes is reduced by 10…20 dB.

Simulation Study on the Performance of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Detector for Ice Thickness Identification

In-flight icing detectors are important for the flight safety of aircraft. Detectors based on ultrasonic pulse-echo can be used for detecting ice thickness. To study the influencing factors of ultrasonic pulse-echo detection performance, a simulation model of elastic wave-piezoelectric coupling was established, which was used to analyze the influence of different types of piezoelectric ceramics, matching layers with different acoustic impedances, and different substrate materials on ultrasonic pulse-echo signals. It was found that when aluminum is used as the substrate material, the ultrasonic echo signal has a higher signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the influence of aluminum substrate materials with different thicknesses on ultrasonic pulse-echo was analyzed. The ice thickness can be identified by measuring the time of flight between the aluminum-ice interface echo and the ice-air interface echo. The results indicate that when the thickness of the aluminum substrate is 25mm, the upper detection limit of ice layer thickness can reach about 10mm. Therefore, the detection upper limit of ice layer thickness can be extended by appropriately increasing the thickness of the aluminum substrate material.

Acoustic stack for combined intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging.

Multimodal intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic (IVUS/PA) imaging is a promising diagnostic tool for cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis. IVUS/PA catheters typically require two independent transducers due to different frequency requirements, potentially increasing the catheter size. To facilitate multimodal imaging within conventional catheter dimensions, we designed, fabricated, and characterized a dual-transducer acoustic stack where a low-frequency (LF) PA receiver sits as a matching layer for the high-frequency (HF) US transducer. While the HF transducer operates around 50 MHz, the LF receiver targets frequencies below 15 MHz to capture most of the PA energy from atherosclerotic plaque lipids. Simulation results reveal that this configuration could increase the sensitivity of the HF transducer by 3.54 dB while maintaining bandwidth. Phantom experiments with fabricated stacks showed improved performance for the US transducer, validating the enhanced sensitivity and bandwidth. Following improvements in stack fabrication, the proposed acoustic stack is a viable design that can significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy for atherosclerosis, providing high-resolution, multifrequency imaging within a compact catheter form factor.

Multifunctional phase-change composites for green electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal response prepared under the guidance of an impedance matching strategy.

With the advent of the information age, electromagnetic hazards are becoming more serious. In view of environmental protection, green electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with little or no secondary reflection have become the ideal choice. In this paper, by freeze-drying, high-temperature carbonization, coating and impregnation backfilling, we prepared carbonized Ni-MOF/reduced graphene oxide/silver nanowire-polyimide@polyethylene glycol composites (Ni@C/r-GO/AgNW-PI@PEG) with gradient conductivity based on impedance matching. The impedance matching layer Ni@C/r-GO-300 reduces the reflection of electromagnetic waves from the surface of the material, the dissipation layer Ni@C/r-GO-600 provides excellent electromagnetic wave dissipation capability, and the reflection layer AgNW-PI ensures that the electromagnetic waves are reflected back into the material. Meanwhile, the EMI shielding performance value of Ni@C/r-GO/AgNW-PI@PEG reaches 62.3 dB with an ultra-low reflectivity (R) of 0.04. In CST simulations, the intrinsic mechanism of electromagnetic energy loss within the material is revealed by energy loss density cloud maps. In addition, heat from high-temperature objects is transferred through the highly thermally conductive AgNW-PI membrane to the long-channel Ni@C/r-GO backbone. Therefore, the composites prepared on the basis of impedance matching will accelerate the use of EMI shielding materials for the thermal management of portable electronic devices and battery heat dissipation packaging.

PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CORONA SPRAYED POWDER COATINGS

This article presents the results from an examination of the physical and mechanical properties of powder coatings based on different binding agents, including epoxy, epoxy-polyester, polyester, polyurethane, and silicone. The coatings that showed the highest results in all tests are epoxy, epoxy-polyester, and polyester. The study investigated the thickness and uniformity of coatings achieved under different spraying conditions. Specific spraying system modes were identified to achieve uniform coatings with predetermined thicknesses. The research highlights the potential application of powder coatings as protective and matching layers for ultrasonic sensors.

Numerical Simulation of Elastic Wave in Frequency Domain Based on Generalized Finite Difference Method With a Multiaxial Convolutional Perfectly Matched Layer Boundary

Numerical Simulation of Elastic Wave in Frequency Domain Based on Generalized Finite Difference Method With a Multiaxial Convolutional Perfectly Matched Layer Boundary

Enhanced electromagnetic absorption properties of the double-layer Ti3C2Tx MXene absorber with orthogonal microstructures

A double-layer MXene absorber with orthogonal microstructures was designed unidirectional freeze-casting method, which yielded favorable electromagnetic wave absorption properties by tuning the thickness ratio of the parallel ends when the parallel sample was used as an impedance matching layer.

Simple broadband planar acoustic lenses design with a velocity gradient structure

Compared to curved acoustic lens, planar acoustic lens fits better with other surfaces like human body or additional lenses due to its profile. Traditional planar lens designs such as Fresnel lens and metamaterial lens suffer from poor bandwidth in frequency and complexities in fabrication, limiting the use in medical ultrasound. By curing epoxy mixtures in a 3D-print mold, a simple planar lens planar lens is designed and tested with a velocity gradient matching layer. Its Total cost is no higher than 8 dollars. Since the focusing relies on material velocity instead of wavelength, it makes the single planar lens designed for 1 MHz functions from 0.5 to 1.2 MHz (82 %). For concept validation, transducers with single circular planar lens and a lens set are fabricated and compared to traditional lens design. At 1 MHz, single planar lens reaches a focal length of 64.24 mm, which is similar to traditional concave lens design but shows less near field effect and less prone to cavitation at the interface. The planar-lens-added lens set also shows similarity to traditional lens set including a shorter focal length, a smaller focal spot and a better directivity. With the merit of easy fabrication and less cost, the proposed planar lens design strategy has the potential to be a complement of Fresnel lenses and metamaterial lenses in medical treatment applications.

A 3D finite element spectral integral (FESI) method for acoustics

We present a novel hybrid method that integrates the spectral integral method (SIM) with finite element for pressure acoustics in an inhomogeneous medium surrounded by spherical or incomplete spherical surfaces. Our approach, called the finite element spectral integral (FESI) method, enables efficient calculations of the pressure field in near-field and far-field zones. It is more efficient than the conventional finite element method hybridized with the boundary element method (i.e., the FEBI method). Furthermore, we construct a symmetric coefficient matrix using the proposed symmetric coupling to speed up the FESI method. We demonstrate through several examples that our FESI method offers significantly improved efficiency and lower memory consumption compared to the FEM combined with the perfect matching layer method while achieving higher accuracy.