The precise rotational manipulation of single cells or organisms is invaluable to many applications in biology, chemistry, physics and medicine. In this article, we describe an acoustic-based, on-chip manipulation method that can rotate single microparticles, cells and organisms. To achieve this, we trapped microbubbles within predefined sidewall microcavities inside a microchannel. In an acoustic field, trapped microbubbles were driven into oscillatory motion generating steady microvortices which were utilized to precisely rotate colloids, cells and entire organisms (that is, C. elegans). We have tested the capabilities of our method by analysing reproductive system pathologies and nervous system morphology in C. elegans. Using our device, we revealed the underlying abnormal cell fusion causing defective vulval morphology in mutant worms. Our acoustofluidic rotational manipulation (ARM) technique is an easy-to-use, compact, and biocompatible method, permitting rotation regardless of optical, magnetic or electrical properties of the sample under investigation.

Rotational manipulation of single cells and organisms using acoustic waves

Recently, optical orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing technology has attracted intensive research interest because spectrum-sliced elastic optical networks (EONs) can be constructed based on it. In this paper, we investigate how to serve multicast requests over EONs with multicast-capable routing, modulation level, and spectrum assignment (RMSA). Both EON planning with static multicast traffic and EON provisioning with dynamic traffic are studied. For static EON planning, we formulate two integer linear programming (ILP) models, i.e., the joint ILP and the separate ILP. The joint ILP optimizes all multicast requests together, while the separate ILP optimizes one request each time in a sequential way. We also propose a highly efficient heuristic that is based on an adaptive genetic algorithm (GA) with minimum solution revisits. The simulation results indicate that the ILPs and the GA provide more efficient EON planning than the existing multicast-capable RMSA algorithms that use the shortest path tree (SPT) and the minimal spanning tree (MST). The results also show that the GA obtains more efficient EON planning results than the separate ILP with much less running time, as it can optimize all multicast requests together in a highly efficient manner. For the dynamic EON provisioning, we demonstrate that the GA is also applicable, and it achieves lower request blocking probabilities than the benchmark algorithms using SPTand MST.

Efficient resource allocation for all-optical multicasting over spectrum-sliced elastic optical networks

We demonstrate the trapping of elastic particles by the large gradient force of a single acoustical beam in three dimensions. Acoustical tweezers can push, pull and accurately control both the position and the forces exerted on a unique particle. Forces in excess of 1 micronewton were exerted on polystyrene beads in the submillimeter range. A beam intensity less than 50  W/cm^{2} was required, ensuring damage-free trapping conditions. The large spectrum of frequencies covered by coherent ultrasonic sources provides a wide variety of manipulation possibilities from macroscopic to microscopic length scales. Our observations could open the way to important applications, in particular, in biology and biophysics at the cellular scale and for the design of acoustical machines in microfluidic environments.

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Observation of a Single-Beam Gradient Force Acoustical Trap for Elastic Particles: Acoustical Tweezers.

We use acoustic resonances in a planar layer of half-wavelength thickness to twist wave vectors of an in-coming plane wave into a spiral phase dislocation of an outgoing vortex beam with orbital angular momentum (OAM). The mechanism is numerically and experimentally demonstrated by producing an airborne Bessel-like vortex beam. Our acoustic resonance-based OAM production differs from existing means for OAM production by enormous phased spiral sources or by elaborate spiral profiles. Our study can advance the capability of generating phase dislocated wave fields for further applications of acoustic OAM.

https://link.aps.org/accepted/10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.034301

Convert Acoustic Resonances to Orbital Angular Momentum.

WHEN metals are submitted to stress, the stress/swain relation is generally regarded as consisting of two parts, the elastic region and the region bfsplastiwin which a permanent set remains upon the remova of the stress. In the elastic region the absence of a permanent set does not necessarily imply that the relation between stress and strain is linear of even single-valued. Prof. Zener uses the term ‘anelasticity’ to describe the properties of solids, as a result of which stress and strain are not uniquely related. Examples are the elastic after-effect, the dependence of elastic constants on the method of measurement, and the dissipation of energy during vibration, which is often referred to as the damping capacity or internal friction of a solid. These effects have aroused much interest in recent years, largely owing to Prof. Zener's own work, and a good book on the subject is much to be desired. Elasticity and Anelasticity of Metals By Clarence Zener. Pp. x + 170. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, London: Cambridge University Press, 1948.) 4 dollars.

Elasticity and Anelasticity of Metals

Ultrasonic arrays allow a given scatterer to be illuminated from a wide range of angles and hence are capable of extracting significant information about the scatterer. In this paper a general imaging methodology, termed multi-mode total focusing method, is proposed in which any combination of modes and reflections can be used to produce an image of the test structure. Like the total focusing method, this approach is implemented by post-processing the full matrix of array data to achieve a synthetic focus at every pixel in the image. A hybrid model is used to predict the array data and demonstrate the performance of the multi-mode imaging concept. This hybrid model combines far field scattering coefficient matrices with a ray-based wave propagation model. This allows the inclusion of longitudinal waves, shear waves and wave mode conversions. It is shown that, with prior knowledge of likely scatterer location and orientation, the mode combination and array location can be optimised to maximise the performance of array inspections. A practically relevant weld inspection application is then described and its optimisation is discussed.

Defect detection using ultrasonic arrays: The multi-mode total focusing method

Ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation is used for detection, characterization, and sizing of defects. The accurate sizing of defects that are of similar or less size than the ultrasonic wavelength is of particular importance in assessing structural integrity. In this paper, we demonstrate how measurement of the scattering coefficient matrix of a cracklike defect can be used to obtain its size, shape, and orientation. The scattering coefficient matrix describes the far field amplitude of scattered signals from a scatterer as a function of incident and scattering angles. A finite element (FE) modeling procedure is described that predicts the scattering coefficient matrix of various cracklike defects. Experimental results are presented using a commercial 64-element, 5 MHz array on 2 aluminum test samples that contain several machined slots and through thickness circular holes. To minimize the interference from the reflections of neighboring defects, a subarray approach is used to focus ultrasound on each target defect in turn and extract its scattering coefficient matrices. A circular hole and a fine slot can be clearly distinguished by their different scattering coefficient matrices over a specific range of incident angles and scattering angles. The orientation angles of slots directly below the array are deduced from the measured scattering coefficient matrix to an accuracy of a few degrees, and their lengths are determined with an error of 10%.

Defect characterization using an ultrasonic array to measure the scattering coefficient matrix

We observe distinct regimes of orbital angular momentum (OAM) transfer from two-dimensional Bessel-shaped acoustic vortices to matter. In a homogeneous diphasic mixture of microparticles and water, slow swirling about the vortex axis is seen. This effect is driven by the absorption of OAM across the mixture, the motion following the OAM density distribution. Larger particles are formed into clusters by the acoustic radiation force, making the mixture nonhomogeneous. Here, the OAM transfer to the microparticle clusters dominates and they spin at high speeds entraining the surrounding fluid.

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Observation of orbital angular momentum transfer from bessel-shaped acoustic vortices to diphasic liquid-microparticle mixtures.

A lubricant-film monitoring system for a conventional deep groove ball bearing (type 6016, shaft diameter 80 mm, ball diameter 12.7 mm) is described. A high-firequency (50 MHz) ultrasonic transducer is mounted on the static outer raceway of the bearing. The transducer is focused on the ball-raceway interface and used to measure the reflection coefficient of the lubricant in the "contact" ellipse between bearing components. The reflection coefficient characterizes the lubricant film and can be used to calculate its thickness. An accurate triggering system enables multiple reflection measurements to be made as each lubricated contact moves past the measurement location. Experiments are described in which bearings were deliberately caused to fail by the addition of acetone, water and sand to the lubricant. The ultrasonic reflection coefficient was monitored as a function of time as the failure occurred. Also monitored were the more standard parameters, temperature and vibration. The results indicate that the ultrasonic measurements are able to detect the failures before seizure. It is also observed that, when us,ed in parallel, these monitoring techniques offer the potential to diagnose the failure mechanism and hence improve predictions of remaining life.

/pdf/monitoring-of-lubricant-film-failure-in-a-ball-bearing-using-3xido8fn4m.pdf

Monitoring of lubricant film failure in a ball bearing using ultrasound

The use of ultrasonic arrays to image and size crack-like defects is an important area in non-destructive evaluation. In this paper, two approaches are considered for extracting the key parameters of crack length and orientation angle. The parameters for small cracks are inferred from the scattering matrix. For larger cracks, the parameters are extracted directly from a high resolution image. The performance of both techniques is first assessed using a hybrid model to generate the full matrix of array data for a specified inspection configuration. The model combines a ray-based propagation model with scattering matrices to describe wave interaction with a defect. Good agreement is achieved between simulated and experimental results, hence validating this model-based approach. This model is then used to assess the impact of time-domain noise on the characterisation of crack-like defects. For the low-noise case, the scattering matrix approach shows good performance if the crack length is greater than 0.2 wavelengths and the image-based approach is good for crack lengths greater than 0.5 wavelengths. The scattering-matrix-based approach is found to be more sensitive to the addition of noise than the image-based approach. Finally, both techniques are demonstrated experimentally on samples containing more realistic defects.

Jie Zhang

Papers

Defect detection using ultrasonic arrays: The multi-mode total focusing method

Defect characterization using an ultrasonic array to measure the scattering coefficient matrix

Observation of orbital angular momentum transfer from bessel-shaped acoustic vortices to diphasic liquid-microparticle mixtures.

Monitoring of lubricant film failure in a ball bearing using ultrasound

The Use of Ultrasonic Arrays to Characterize Crack-Like Defects