Ultrasonic Process Research Articles

Physicochemical, texture, microstructure, and antioxidant characteristics of karish cheese made from ultrasonic-treated skimmed buffalo milk

The effect of ultrasonic-treated skimmed buffalo milk on the antioxidant, physicochemical, texture, microstructure, microbiological, and organoleptic properties, as well as the yield of karish soft cheese was estimated. Ultrasonic processing of buffalo milk at 35 KHz for 10 and 20 min reduced the curdling time, and improved texture, microstructure, antioxidant, and sensory characteristics of cheese, while cheese yield was not affected compared with the control. On the contrary, prolonged ultrasound treatment (30 min) decreased the quality and acceptability of karish cheese. This study recommends the use of ultrasonically treated skimmed buffalo milk for 20 min in the production karish soft cheese.

Machine learning coupled with acoustic emission signal features for tool wear estimation during ultrasonic machining of Inconel 718

The material removal in the ultrasonic machining process is due to the fracture of the workpiece material. The fracture is due to energy transfer by vibrating abrasive particles. The vibration energy is induced by a tool oscillating at a frequency of more than 20 kHz. The vibrating particles not only impact the workpiece surface but also impact the oscillating tool, and it leads to the fracture of the tool, which is of interest to understand to guarantee efficient machining with accuracy and precision. In the current investigation, the tool wear during the ultrasonic machining of Inconel 718 super alloy is attempted. An acoustic emission sensor is integrated with the machining setup, and signal information is extracted in the time and time-frequency domains. The features and process parameters are input to a support vector regression model to estimate tool wear. The model developed for tool wear prediction yields an accuracy of 96.13% compared to the model developed with only process parameters, which delivers an accuracy of 84.89%. The developed model can be beneficial for the real-time monitoring of tool wear during the ultrasonic machining process for industrial and remote applications.

Performance evaluation of direct injection diesel engine fueled with diesel-ZnO nanoparticles blends

Present experimental study focused on investigating the effects of diesel-zinc oxide nanoparticles blends on the performance evaluation of a four stroke two-cylinder direct injection diesel engine. Two blends were employed to analyze engine combustion and performance parameters at various engine loads and constant speed (1500 rpm) conditions. Blends were prepared by dispersing zinc oxide nanoparticles with diesel fuel in different dosing levels through the ultrasonication process. One blend has 30 ppm zinc oxide nanoparticles per liter of diesel (D100ZnO30) and another has 60 ppm zinc oxide nanoparticles per liter of diesel (D100ZnO60). It was found that combustion and performance characteristics improved at higher engine loads for all blends. Present experimental results revealed that blending of zinc oxide nanoparticles in diesel fuel enhance engine performance due to better in-cylinder combustion. Combustion characteristics like maximum cumulative heat release, maximum net heat release rate and peak rate of pressure rise of diesel engine were promoted due to nanoparticles additive. Percentage increase of 9.09 and 10.09 in duration of combustion of D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends respectively than diesel was recorded at full load. At full load conditions, brake thermal efficiency was improved by 2.63 % and 0.36 % for D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends respectively as compared to diesel. Moreover, brake specific fuel consumption of D100ZnO30 and D100ZnO60 blends also improved significantly than diesel. Hence, it can be stated that zinc oxide nanoparticles in lower concentration would be an effective approach to significantly improve diesel engine combustion and performance parameters.

3D FE cutting simulations of Nomex honeycomb composites in rotary ultrasonic machining process

3D FE cutting simulations of Nomex honeycomb composites in rotary ultrasonic machining process

Numerical calculation and analysis of temperature field in ultrasonic welding of polypropylene dialyzer

Ultrasonic plastic welding is widely used in the bonding process of medical device accessories. In this paper, a thermo-force indirect coupling finite element analysis model was established in the ultrasonic plastic welding process between the blood cap and the shell of polypropylene (PP) dialyzer. The temperature field distribution between the blood cap and the shell was simulated and analyzed by using finite element analysis software, and the influence of welding process parameters on the temperature field was studied. The results show that: by changing the ultrasonic amplitude parameters, welding time parameters, initial pressure, etc., the longer the ultrasonic welding time, the temperature of the welding area will increase. In order to ensure the quality of the dialyzer, it should be controlled within 0.8-1 seconds. The increase of ultrasonic amplitude will make the welding temperature continue to rise, and in order to avoid poor welding, the amplitude should not exceed 120 ?m. The initial pressure has little effect on the temperature field.

Development of a High‐Frequency Ophthalmic Real‐Time Ultrasound Imaging System Based on a 20 MHz Annular‐Array Transducer

Objective. Ophthalmic ultrasound imaging is a widely used diagnostic method for examining ophthalmic diseases in the clinic. A single‐element transducer is adopted in the traditional ophthalmic ultrasound imaging systems. Although full depth focusing can be achieved using a linear‐array transducer, it is unsuitable for ophthalmic imaging due to its inability to be tightly coupled to the eyeball and its higher cost. Annular‐array‐based systems provide an alternative, striking a balance between image quality and cost. Methods. Here, we present a newly developed high‐frequency ophthalmic real‐time ultrasound imaging system based on an annular‐array transducer. This system uses a custom‐made five‐element, 20 MHz annular‐array transducer encapsulated in a stainless steel housing and mounted in a commercially available handheld mechanical probe designed specifically for clinical ophthalmic imaging. The system uses a printed circuit board scheme and FPGA as the core to complete the hardware system design and realize the ultrasonic echo signal processing and system timing management. Full depth dynamic focusing of each scanning beam was achieved by designing the transmit and receive beamforming. Combined with advanced integrated circuits, the miniaturization and low cost of the overall system are realized. Results. Extensive tests, including hardware, wire phantom, and tissue mimicking phantom measurements, were conducted to demonstrate good performance of the system. The results showed that the designed system can effectively improve the imaging resolution and enhance the depth of field of the image, particularly reducing the blind area of the near‐field. Conclusion. The high‐frequency ophthalmic real‐time ultrasound imaging system based on an annular‐array transducer meets the needs of clinical diagnosis and has a good clinical application prospect.

Development of an inline non-destructive monitoring method for ultrasonically welded seams during a continuous joining process

The welding manufacturing process is increasingly being used as an alternative joining method to sewing for functional textiles including for medical and protective wear, high-performance reinforcement textiles for fiber-reinforced plastics, film materials, and smart textiles. Ultrasonic (US) welding technology is a universally applicable cost-effective joining method for thermoplastic membranes. A key issue with the quality of the welded seam is that many of the faults are not visible on the membrane surface. The traditional quality control of the seam cannot be performed because it is done by destructive testing methods. Therefore 100% assurance of compliance of product safety produced at a production scale is not possible. The objective of the study is to develop a nondestructive (NDT) inline testing method for the quality control of welded seams during the continuous ultrasonic welding process. Currently, the quality control of Ultrasonic (US) welded seams is performed based on sample destructive standard tests, where the quality control of complete welded seams is not ensured. The air-coupled US sensors are used to detect imperfections in the welded seam. A variety of membrane materials with base fabric made of polyester and coated with PVC coating were tested during this research. A superimposed type of seam was produced longitudinally by PVC-coated textiles with smooth surfaced anvil wheels and was welded using a welding width of 10 mm. These coated materials were provided by industrial partners and are used in diverse technical textile applications. A process-integrated NDT test method was developed. The imperfections in welded seams were identified during a continuous US welding procedure with the help of air-coupled ultrasonic sensors by developing an inline test method. A prototype to realize inline monitoring during continuous ultrasonic welding was developed and tested. Faults of different widths were artificially produced during welding. The inline monitoring of welded seams with faults was successfully performed and analyzed. The developed process can further pave the way for the development of inline monitoring of welding seams with US sensors for textile membranes joined with a continuous US welding technology.

Effect of contact stress and slip amplitude on fretting fatigue behaviour of ultrasonic surface nanocrystallized TC11 titanium alloy

In this paper, combined experimental and numerical methods are applied to investigate the effect of different contact stress and slip amplitude on the fretting fatigue (FF) behaviour of TC11 titanium alloy with gradient nanostructure introduced by ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP). The properties of gradient nanostructure are characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray residual stress tester, microhardness tester. As evidenced by the FF experimental results, USRP can significantly improve the FF life of TC11 by introducing large compressive residual stress and work hardening layer. The dominant parameters in improving the FF resistance under different loading conditions are investigated. In addition, the simulated results from Abaqus show that contact stress plays a more important role in influencing FF life compared to fretting bridge span, which is attributed to the change in slip amplitude and stress concentration. Fretting fatigue life initially increases and then decreases with contact stress and there is a contact stress threshold that leads to minimum lifetime. This threshold of USRP specimens is greater than that of untreated specimens. The transition of fretting mode along with contact stress is observed and discussed.

Enhanced properties of gelatin films incorporated with TiO2-loaded reduced graphene oxide aerogel microspheres for active food packaging applications

The synergistic effect of graphene sheets and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) hybrid fillers can improve the antibacterial, mechanical, and barrier properties of gelatin (GL), making it more suitable to be used in the food packaging application. However, the uneven dispersion and aggregation of the hybrid fillers restrict its performance for further application. In order to achieve the above superior properties, reduced graphene oxide aerogel microspheres (rGOAMs) loaded with TiO2 (rGOAMs@TiO2) were successfully prepared using one-step hydrothermal process by reducing titanium sulfate into TiO2 on the framework of rGOAMs, followed by effective dispersion in the GL matrix to form nanocomposites (rGOAMs@TiO2/GL) through simultaneous ultrasonication and mechanical stirring, as well as an ultrasonic cell grinder process. Incorporating a mere 0.8 wt% of rGOAMs@TiO2 effectively improved the mechanical, antibacterial, UV light barrier, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and water vapor barrier properties of the GL. Compared with the composites made of rGOAMs, TiO2, and GL (rGOAMs/TiO2/GL), rGOAMs@TiO2/GL composites showed stronger filler-matrix interactions, better filler dispersion, and lower TiO2 particle aggregation, suggesting superiority compared to rGOAMs/TiO2/GL composites at the same filler content. This innovative method of mixing GL with rGOAMs@TiO2 holds great promise for enhancing the suitability of GL in active food packaging applications.

Surface integrity, corrosion resistance, and low-temperature impact property of FH36 marine steel subjected to ultrasonic surface rolling process

Surface integrity, corrosion resistance, and low-temperature impact property of FH36 marine steel subjected to ultrasonic surface rolling process

Facile Synthesis Method of Self‐Assembled Ni‐Rich LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2/rGO Composite for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries

A hybrid material, LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, with excess lithium and wrapped in reduced graphene oxide (rGO), has been synthesized through ultrasonication employing Triton X as a surfactant. The ultrasonication process breaks down the initially clustered large particles into small nanoparticles, ensuring a uniform composite with reduced graphene oxide. With a consistent capacity retention of 87.56% over 100 cycles, the cathode composite exhibits a promising initial capacity of around 250 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C. Notably, the composite has high‐rate capability, providing capacities of 230 and 178.9 mAh g−1 at 0.2 and 2 C, respectively. These experimental results indicate that the well‐dispersed LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 nanoparticles and the porous reduced graphene oxide framework work in concert to enhance the electrochemical performance of the reduced graphene oxide‐wrapped LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material, which was achieved through ultrasonication with Triton X (TX‐100) surfactant assistance. This synergy allows for the fast diffusion of both Li ions (Li+) and electrons (e−) while also allowing volumetric variations during the introduction and withdrawal of Li ions (Li+). As a result, the fabrication of this reduced graphene oxide‐wrapped LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode material shows promise as a high‐rate cathode material, especially for energy storage applications.

Ultrasound mechanisms and their effect on solid synthesis and processing: a review.

Ultrasound proves to be an effective technique for intensifying a wide range of processes involving solids and, as such, is often used to improve control over both solids formation and post-treatment stages. The intensifying capabilities of ultrasonic processing are best interpreted in the context of the chemical, transport, and mechanical effects that occur during sonication. This review presents an overview of how ultrasound influences the processing and synthesis of solids across various material classes, contextualized within an ultrasound effect framework. By describing the mechanisms underlying the different effects of ultrasound on the solid synthesis and processing, this review aims to facilitate a deeper understanding of the current literature in the field and to promote more effective utilization of ultrasound technology in solid synthesis and processing.

Potential of ultrasonic processing in biomedical applications

Potential applications of ultrasound in biomedicine.

Intelligent optimization design of large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic vibration system

Large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic vibration systems are susceptible to the influence of coupled vibration, resulting in a series of problems such as increased energy loss, small longitudinal displacement amplitude of the radiation surface, and uneven distribution of longitudinal displacement amplitude, which can seriously affect the working efficiency of ultrasonic processing system. How to effectively control the coupled vibration of large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic transducer systems and optimize their performance has become an urgent problem in the field of power ultrasound. The research has found that some phononic crystal slots and point defect structures can suppress the lateral vibration of large-scale transducer systems, improve the uniformity of system amplitude distribution, and artificially regulate the performance of large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic vibration systems by changing the configuration parameters of phononic crystal structures. However, excessive design parameters will inevitably increase the complexity of system design, and, currently, the optimization design of large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic transducer systems relies on empirical trial and error methods which has low design efficiency and low success rate, and cannot guarantee the system performance. Therefore, in the study, homogeneous dislocations and point defect structures are introduced to optimize the design of large-scale three-dimensional ultrasonic vibration systems. Data analysis techniques are used to evaluate the influences of the configuration of homogeneous dislocations and point defect structures on the longitudinal displacement amplitude, amplitude distribution uniformity, radiated sound power, working bandwidth of the system’s radiation surface. And a predictive model for the performance of large-scale ultrasonic transducer system with homogeneous dislocation structure and near periodic defect structure is established, which can achieve intelligent design of large-scale power ultrasonic transducer system, improve design efficiency and success rate, and reduce the design cost.

Методы экстракции иммуномодуляторов растительного происхождения

Numerous adverse factors may violate the human immune system and trigger various diseases. Immune-response modulating agents, or immunomodulators, help the immune system to function properly. Biologically active substances extracted from medicinal plants are especially promising in this respect. The article reviews traditional and novel methods for extracting biologically active immune-response modulating agents from plant raw materials.
 The review covered articles published in English and Russian in 2019–2023 and indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, and eLIBRARY. 
 Extraction efficiency depends on such factors as solvent, temperature, and particle size, but the method is the most important one. Traditional extraction methods include percolation, maceration, Soxhlet extraction, heat reflux extraction, and decoction. However, they are solvent-consuming and expensive. Modern extraction methods rely on carbon dioxide, microwave treatment, ultrasonic processing, and pressure. They proved quite efficient in extracting biologically active substances from ginseng (Panax ginseng). Carbon dioxide, or supercritical, extraction was able to isolate polyphenol quercetin from quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga) and other biologically active substances from alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Maceration with methanol was applied to meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) while Soxhlet extraction proved especially effective with smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria), moorland spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata), and greater butterfly-orchid (Platanthera chlorantha).
 Both traditional and novel extraction methods find their application in medicine and food science, where they yield plant extracts of biologically active immune-response modulating agents.

Adaptive Ultrasonic Full Matrix Capture Process for the Global Imaging of Complex Components with Curved Surfaces.

This work proposes a new global FD-RTM method to solve the problem of ultrasonic inspection of parts with complex geometric shapes. With this method, the frequency domain reverse time migration (FD-RTM) algorithm is used to adapt to the complex refraction of ultrasonic waves by the surface, while an interface solution algorithm based on tangent fitting is used to solve the interface position with high precision through the full matrix reception data. Based on high-precision interface information, a hybrid extrapolation algorithm and a situation-specific probe movement strategy are used to enable the probe to find the next sampling point according to the direction of the workpiece surface, allowing complex surface topography features to be identified without relying on the workpiece CAD drawing. This makes it possible to achieve the automated inspection of workpieces. To verify the proposed method's effectiveness, an aluminum alloy model with side-drilled holes (SDH) is used. The geometry of the model consists of multiple convex and concave surfaces. By comparing the local FD-RTM imaging with images synthesized using the entire scan path, it is shown that gFD-RTM improved the imaging performance. Compared with FD-RTM, the average signal-to-noise ratio of gFD-RTM was increased by 20%, and the array performance index (API) was reduced by 70%, indicating effective detection coverage.

The effect of ultrasound on the quality indicators of food raw materials and finished products

The article presents the results of a study of the effect of ultrasonic treatment on changes in the quality of meat.In most of the previous studies on the use of ultrasonic treatment, a positive effect on the quality of meat and meat products was noted. Ultrasonic processing is widespread in accelerating technological processes, improving the functional, technological and structural and mechanical properties of meat.In the course of these studies, meat samples of various animal species were subjected to ultrasound exposure of various durations, after which changes in shear stress, moisture binding capacity and microbiological parameters of pork, beef, mutton and horse meat were determined. As a result, ultrasonic processing has reduced the stress of cutting all types of meat. The optimal duration of ultrasonic treatment has been determined, which increases the moisture binding capacity of meat. As the duration of ultrasonic treatment increased, a decrease in the number of pathogenic microorganisms in meat was observed.Based on the results of these studies, it was concluded that ultrasonic treatment is important for the meat industry, since this method can be used as a non-thermal effect to improve physical, biochemical and microbiological characteristics that increase the quality, safety and increase the shelf life of various meat products.

Designing Ti3C2/C3N4-embedded chitosan nanocomposites for efficient antibiotic degradation and antibacterial activity

Combining the use of photocatalytic degradation with its antibacterial qualities while exposed to sunlight is a viable strategy to combat environmental contamination. Here, we prepared the C3N4/Ti3C2 composite initially with a simple annealing approach, then with chitosan and ultrasonic processing. The morphological characteristics, chemical composition, optical properties, and crystallographic information of the produced materials were ascertained using SEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, and UV–vis DRS. Under visible light exposure, the C3N4/Ti3C2@CS nanocomposite displayed significant photo-catalytic activity for the degradation of ofloxacin (OFX). Furthermore, the investigation explored the effect of various reaction parameters on the photocatalytic process. These criteria included the amount of catalyst used, the degree of pollutant in the system, and the inclusion of inorganic ions. Using the results of the tests, a possible charge transfer mechanism was suggested. Additionally, the antibacterial efficacy of the nanocomposites against microorganisms was greater. The improved photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite was due to the synergistic effect of Ti3C2/C3N4 and CS, which results in efficient use of visible light and effective suppression of charge carrier recombination. Overall, this study reveals the possible use of C3N4/Ti3C2@CS in the photocatalytic removal of OFX from water.

Dielectric and Magnetic Composites of Fe3O4@APNs for Superior Microwave Thermal Effect.

As for the deep tissue infections of chronic osteomyelitis, antibiotics are hard to deliver into the infected bone tissue, which makes it difficult to be cured completely in clinic. Microwave has strong penetration, and the medium can produce a good bactericidal effect through the microwave thermal effect (MTE). Here, a new microwave sensitizer (Fe3O4@APNs) was prepared and evaluated. Black phosphorus nanosheets modified with phytic acid dodecasodium (APNs) were fabricated by a liquid-phase exfoliation method that exhibited good water oxygen stability. A complex with Fe3O4 compound and APNs (Fe3O4@APNs) was formed by an ultrasonic mixing process, which showed excellent MTE (quickly increased to 53.5 °C in 5 min at 2.45 GHz, 10 W/cm2) via dielectric versus magnetic loss (reflect loss value of -5.94 dB at 2.45 GHz). The Fe3O4@APNs microwave sensitizer developed in this study has an outstanding in vitro antibacterial effect and might show promise for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis enabled by local tissue heating via the MTE.

Modeling of Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Processes in the Task of Searching and Visualizing Internal Defects in Assemblies and Structures

Introduction. Inverse problems are a specific type of tasks where the consequences of phenomena are studied to identify their causes. They are widely used in scientific studies, specifically, those dealing with large amounts of experimental data. In the presented paper, inverse problems in mechanical engineering and structural diagnostics are considered. These areas require precise methods to identify internal defects in various materials, which can be critical to ensure the safety and efficiency of technical structures. Despite the many flaw detection methods available, there is a need for innovative developments that can provide higher accuracy and efficiency. This study integrates different scientific methods and technologies. It opens up new perspectives in nondestructive testing for the detection of internal defects in various materials and structures. Its objective is to develop and implement nondestructive testing methods based on a neural network device to improve the accuracy of defect identification, as well as to build a neural network model and evaluate its effectiveness for the refinement of ultrasonic visualization of internal defects in solid materials. In this regard, the task to be solved is to create a reliable tool for accurate visualization of sizes, shapes, location and orientation of internal defects in various materials.Materials and Methods. The technique of determining the geometric parameters of defects in materials through nondestructive testing is used. The approach combining modeling of ultrasonic wave propagation in acoustic medium and artificial neural network technologies is applied. This approach identifies nonlinear relationships between the geometry of defects and the amplitude-frequency and amplitude-time data obtained during signal analysis. Artificial neural networks are a model that can be trained on examples, which provides for an effective solution to problems that are difficult to express in traditional forms. The study uses the finite difference method in the time domain. It is applied to identify and visualize internal defects in materials using ultrasonic nondestructive testing and convolutional generative neural networks.Results. A convolutional neural network has been developed to visualize internal defects using ultrasonic nondestructive testing techniques. This neural network successfully determines the size of defects, their location, shape and orientation with high accuracy and reliability.Discussion and Conclusion. The authors highlight the key influence of defect size on the accuracy of ultrasonic imaging in various scenarios. The validation of the model for three different cases of defects with different mechanical parameters has shown that for successful visualization of defects, the wavelength of the ultrasonic pulse must be ten times smaller than the size of the defect. When analyzing the impact of defect size on the accuracy of the neural network, it is found that the visualization error increases for defects of smaller size. It has also been found that the relative speed of sound in materials has a greater effect on the accuracy of the method than the relative density of the material. Based on the results obtained by the authors, it can be argued that the developed methods and technical solutions are of great importance for future research in the field of flaw detection. They have significant potential for scientific and practical applications.