Aug 19 2010
Researchers at The University of Nottingham have developed small ultrasonic transducers that can produce and detect ultrasound. The ultrasonic transducers are primarily used in chemical sensing, medical imaging and engineering applications, but offer potential possibility of using on nano-components and inside the cells.
The ultrasonic transducers provide a range of possibilities for imaging applications and are 1000 times smaller when compared to traditional ultrasonics. The tiny ultrasonic devices can be placed within the cells to conduct intracellular ultrasonics, and can generate high-frequency ultrasound with a wavelength smaller than a visible light. On a theoretical basis, the ultrasonic transducers provide enormous possibilities to deliver fine ultrasonic images than the optical microscopes.
The ultrasonic transducers comprise of structures that resemble like a shell or sandwich. These structures are designed to include ultrasonic and optical resonances. When a laser pulse hits these transducers, they ring at high frequency and introduce ultrasonic waves within the sample. As a result of the ultrasound excitation, the transducers become deformed and their optical resonances get completely changed. The altered optical resonances are detected b a laser. The ultrasonic transducers can be developed by using molecular self-assembly or nano-lithography methods.
The research was conducted between the School of Pharmacy and the Division of Electrical Systems and Optics in the Faculty of Engineering. Applied Optics Group’s research received £850,000 EPSRC grant to develop next-generation ultrasonic techniques. The research team also received additional £350,000 EPSRC grant for aerospace research.
Source: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk