Application of Ultrasonics

Abstract. Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a powerful tool employed to asses the integrity of parts, equipments and structures. NDT techniques are widely used for discontinuities detection and measurement. Each method has its advantages and drawbacks and the ...

Laurel cherry (Prunus laurocerasus L.), an evergreen tree from Rosaceae family, is used as a folk medicine for various medical purposes and against diabetes as well in Northern Anatolia. The present study was performed to evaluate in-vivo hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities of P. laurocerasus. Hypoglycaemic effect of ethanol extracts of the fruit and seeds were tested on normoglycaemic, glucose loaded and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The extracts were given orally to rats and blood glucose levels were determined according to the glucose oxidase method. The results indicated that seed extract showed 20% inhibition on blood glucose levels on experimental diabetic animals. Chemical composition of the bioactive seed extract was analyzed by GC-MS. Oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids were detected as the major components of this extract. Therefore, hypoglycaemic activity of the seeds may be arisen from unsaturated fatty acids.

This paper is about QR code-based automated gate system. The aim of the research is to develop and implement a type of medium-level security gate system especially for small companies that cannot afford to install high-tech auto gate system. IAGS is a system that uses valid staffs' QR code pass card to activate the gate without triggering the alarm. It is developed to connect to the internet and provide a real-time email notification if any unauthorized activities detected. Besides that, it is also designed to record all the incoming and outgoing activities for all staff. All QR code pass cards that are generated to staff will be encrypted to provide integrity to the data. The system is based on items such as PIR motion sensor, servo motor, Arduino microcontroller, Piezo buzzer, and camera. The software is implemented using VB.NET and the QR recognition level is about 99% accurate.

This paper is about QR code-based automated gate system. The aim of the research is to develop and implement a type of medium-level security gate system especially for small companies that cannot afford to install high-tech auto gate system. IAGS is a system that uses valid staffs' QR code pass card to activate the gate without triggering the alarm. It is developed to connect to the internet and provide a real-time email notification if any unauthorized activities detected. Besides that, it is also designed to record all the incoming and outgoing activities for all staff. All QR code pass cards that are generated to staff will be encrypted to provide integrity to the data. The system is based on items such as PIR motion sensor, servo motor, Arduino microcontroller, Piezo buzzer, and camera. The software is implemented using VB.NET and the QR recognition level is about 99% accurate.

The need to make the world smarter and safer has led to the growth of intelligent and secure cities that connect the physical world to the virtual world, providing real-time services that improve real-time situations. Here, we proposed the design and experimentally proved a smart city application and products. Our proposed system has seven main contributions, i.e., "Smart street lights", "Smart home", "Bio-metric door and home security system", "Intelligent traffic lights management and road security system", "Private and smart parking", "Intelligent accident management system" and "Smart information display/ notice board system". Our prototypes / products employ Arduino UNO board, Node MCU, Ultrasonic sensor, Fingerprint module, Servo motors, GSM, GPS, LEDs, Flame Sensor, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi module etc. Firstly, we controlled street lights using android application from mobile, that also record data of objects passing on the road. After that, Wi-Fi module through the internet is used for home automation in which the appliances will be controlled with android application. Moreover, fingerprint-based door security system has also been introduced that only operates on the authorized match. Similarly, home security system is proposed in which alarm and window will be automatically opened when fire or suspicious activity detected, while location will also be sent to the security department simultaneously. Furthermore, a smart traffic control system is proposed which adjusts traffic signals during peak hours, skipping capability, and a road security system to detect vehicle verification by OCR technique. Besides, private and smart parking system that only works on authorized detection of vehicles, this system also shows available parking slots. Most importantly, there is an automated accident management system in sensitive areas, that sends the exact location of the incident via text message and automatically throws sprinkles of water on the fire. Finally, a digital notice board system that displays data received from mobile app., climatic and current affairs about the city. We are very confident that our proposed systems of which three are prototype "streetlights control, smart accident management, information display systems" and four are products "home automation, bio-metric security, smart traffic control ,parking systems", are efficient, reliable, and cost-effective and can be easily tested and implemented on a large scale under real conditions, which will be useful in future smart city automation and smart home applications.

This aids the visually impaired in avoiding potential hazards. To help the sight challenged with their travels, we offer a smart glass. In this manner, many persons who are visually impaired may go about their day without worrying about encountering any obstacles. Traveling from one location to another is very challenging for those with visual impairments in the modern world. Our approach is on giving them with personalized vocal support to overcome whatever challenges they may have. They may reach out to the faraway individual for advice when things go wrong. As a consumer product, it aids the vision handicapped in getting about independently. A built-in sensor emits ultrasonic waves in the direction the user is walking, scanning a radius of up to 10 meters. A vibration sensor, which shakes and makes a beep when it senses an obstacle in the person's path, is also useful for this purpose. The Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) is a means of contact that will allow people to send a text message to loved ones in the event of an emergency. The blind individual can go about and go about their daily life without any assistance from others. A pair of glasses with an integrated obstacle detecting module in the middle, together with a central processing unit, an output device (in the form of a buzzer component), and a power source make up this apparatus. The central processing unit is coupled with the obstacle detecting module and the output device. The CPU requires electricity, which is provided by the power supply. The ultrasonic sensors are managed by the control units, which analyse the data they collect about the barrier in the man's path and then relay the results to him through a buzzer.

Celem badania była ocena wpływu rozdrobnionych opakowań z trzciny cukrowej na wzrost i rozwój Raphanus sativus L. Badano cztery próby. Dwie zawierały dodatek materiałów kompostowalnych. Analizowanymi parametrami była liczba wykiełkowanych nasion, szerokość liścieni oraz liczba liści właściwych. Zaobserwowano statystycznie istotny wzrost liczby liści właściwych w grupie badawczej w porównaniu do kontroli. Wyniki wskazują, że zastosowanie opakowań kompostowalnych może sprzyjać rozwojowi roślin w warunkach suboptymalnych dla procesu kompostowania. Wzrost świadomości ekologicznej sprawia, że konsumenci coraz chętniej wybierają opakowania biodegradowalne alternatywnie do klasycznych tworzyw sztucznych. Szczególnym zainteresowaniem cieszą się opakowania kompostowalne, które stanowią istotny aspekt zrównoważonego rozwoju[1], minimalizując negatywne skutki antropopresji. Producenci jednak rekomendują zapewnienie ściśle określonych warunków[2] umożliwiających ich skompostowanie, co znacząco ogranicza ich zastosowanie w przydomowych uprawach.

In this project we will be building a water level indicator using Arduino & water sensor with three levels that consist of inside a tank with the help of 3 LED and a buzzer to indicate that the tank is full. 1. To learn the working of a water indicator 2. Measure the water level when the circuits indicate when the tank its half and full. 3. To learn how to build simple circuits.

Use of non-contact techniques to produce and sense acoustic vibrations in the megaherzt frequency range are increasing. Higher frequencies provide higher spatial resolution while non-contact operation is an important improvement for rapid NDE scanning, analysis of materials that can not be wetted or touched, "in-situ" NDE appplications, etc. The approach we present in this paper is based on the use of piezoelectric transducers for both signal generation and reception. It is based on the use of a stack of quarter-wavelength matching layers to improve both the efficiency and the frequency band. To this end it is extremely important to find materials having: very low attenuation, very low acoustic impedance and the thickness requiered for the working frequency of the transducer. Piezoceramics and 1-3 connectivity piezocomposites are studied and compared. Plane and focused transducers are presented.

The design, advancement, and evaluation of an IoT -enabled smart stick that can detect and alert users to obstacles is presented in this study to help visually impaired persons traverse the outside world. A water sensor deployed to identify puddles and other wet surfaces in the user's route, and ultrasonic sensors for detecting obstacles are all used in the suggested design. Additionally, after correctly detecting and recognising items, the user receives voice feedback through earphones regarding various obstacles and objects. The suggested smart stick has two modes: the first detects and recognises obstacles and provides speech feedback; the second mode employs ultrasonic sensors for detecting and response through vibration motors to inform about the direction of the obstacle. The suggested method enables users to alternate between the two modes based on their preferences and the surroundings. Additionally, the user's latitude and longitude values are recorded and uploaded to the IoT platform for efficient tracking through global system for wireless communication modules, allowing the user or device to be tracked in real time on the dashboard. An IoT-enabled environment generates an alert signal in the form of an SMS with Google Maps link generated using latitude and longitude coordinates, and this serves as a panic button for emergency assistance. The smart stick's design includes features such a long battery life, size adjustment, waterproofing, and light weight. Robust features, portability, stability, ease of access, and energy efficiency are all guaranteed by the entire design.

Pestycydy to substancje syntetyczne lub naturalne stosowane do zwalczania organizmów szkodliwych lub niepożądanych. Wśród obecnie stosowanych insektycydów najbardziej niebezpieczne, ze względu na ryzyko ostrych zatruć, są związki fosforoorganiczne. Jednak także długotrwała ekspozycja na toksyczne działanie pestycydów w najbliższym otoczeniu lub środowisku pracy niesie ze sobą ryzyko zdrowotne. Stopień narażenia środowiskowego i zawodowego na działanie insektycydów fosfoorganicznych może być monitorowany za pomocą biologicznych wskaźników oceniających ekspozycję, ryzyko zdrowotne czy osobniczą wrażliwość na toksyczne działanie tych pestycydów. Praca przedstawia najczęściej stosowane biomarkery wczesnych skutków biologicznych ekspozycji na pestycydy fosfoorganiczne, ze szczególnym naciskiem na genotoksyczne skutki powodowane narażeniem na te związki. Podsumowuje również możliwości i ograniczenia, jakie posiadają biomarkery wykorzystywane do oceny i identyfi kacji ekspozycji środowiskowej/zawodowej na działanie pestycydów.

Pestycydy to substancje syntetyczne lub naturalne stosowane do zwalczania organizmów szkodliwych lub niepożądanych. Wśród obecnie stosowanych insektycydów najbardziej niebezpieczne, ze względu na ryzyko ostrych zatruć, są związki fosforoorganiczne. Jednak także długotrwała ekspozycja na toksyczne działanie pestycydów w najbliższym otoczeniu lub środowisku pracy niesie ze sobą ryzyko zdrowotne. Stopień narażenia środowiskowego i zawodowego na działanie insektycydów fosfoorganicznych może być monitorowany za pomocą biologicznych wskaźników oceniających ekspozycję, ryzyko zdrowotne czy osobniczą wrażliwość na toksyczne działanie tych pestycydów. Praca przedstawia najczęściej stosowane biomarkery wczesnych skutków biologicznych ekspozycji na pestycydy fosfoorganiczne, ze szczególnym naciskiem na genotoksyczne skutki powodowane narażeniem na te związki. Podsumowuje również możliwości i ograniczenia, jakie posiadają biomarkery wykorzystywane do oceny i identyfi kacji ekspozycji środowiskowej/zawodowej na działanie pestycydów.

There is number of blind people in the society, who are suffering while exercising the basic things of daily life and that could put lives at risk while travelling. So to provide them with necessary equipment we use the technology for human welfare, so came the idea of this research in the design of obstacle detecting system using ultrasonic sensors and providing details of his location with the help of GPS via SMS to his/her relative. Ultrasonic sensors are proximity sensors that are able to measure distance of objects, within the specific range and without any physical contact. It works on a principle similar to radar or sonar which evaluates attributes of a target by interpreting the echo

There is number of blind people in the society, who are suffering while exercising the basic things of daily life and that could put lives at risk while travelling. So to provide them with necessary equipment we use the technology for human welfare, so came the idea of this research in the design of obstacle detecting system using ultrasonic sensors and providing details of his location with the help of GPS via SMS to his/her relative.

Zastosowanie drobnoustrojów o działaniu synergistycznym w procesie biologicznego wiązania azotu. Woda-Środowisko-Obszary Wiejskie. T. 17. Z. 2 (58) s. 157–168. Wpłynęło 26.10.2016 r. Zrecenzowano 01.03.2017 r. Zaakceptowano 09.03.2017 r. A – koncepcja B – zestawienie danych C – analizy statystyczne D – interpretacja wyników E – przygotowanie maszynopisu F – przegląd literatury ZASTOSOWANIE DROBNOUSTROJÓW O DZIAŁANIU SYNERGISTYCZNYM W PROCESIE BIOLOGICZNEGO WIĄZANIA AZOTU

I. INTRODUCTION 6826 (0.4%) of the participants in the 1987 National Sample Survey of Persons with Disabilities (NSSPD) were blind. 12.33 million patients with visual impairments were reported in the 2nd NSSPD in 2006, making up 14.9% of all impaired individuals [1]. In addition to being a part of the general public, blind persons also belong to a unique group. Their physiological impairments, whether acquired or inherited, will cause them a great deal of inconvenience in their daily lives. The inability of blind individuals to precisely and promptly identify and avoid obstacles is one of their main challenges. Currently, guide dogs and guiding instruments make up the majority of assistive devices used to guide the blind both domestically and internationally. As everyone is aware, training a guide dog requires money and effort, and they are unable to remain with their owners forever. II. RELATED WORKS The CTT blind guide developed by Xu Xiangyu's group [2] is accurate and clear in locating obstacles from a threedimensional standpoint. It still cannot be used practically, and its operability and practicability are restricted. The intelligent trip navigation helmet for blind individuals made by Huang Hongzhi [3] uses visual processing to identify obstructions and traffic signals. Despite its many features, the helmet is heavy and difficult to carry. Although infrared detection is used by Lin Chen's intelligent blind walker [4] to automatically avoid obstacles and transmit information with head-mounted sensors, the precision of infrared rays is not high, is highly dependent on the surroundings, and is cumbersome to carry. According to the intensity of reflected light, Wu Xue et al.'s multi-directional infrared-ranging intelligent bracelet [5] uses infrared ranging, and the system accurately verifies its obstacle avoidance capability over black, white, and gray obstacles. The bracelet can detect just a restricted number of things, which limits its use. A blind aid system is available in the public space created by the Karen Duarte team; however, its use is restricted to the relatively small space of a shopping center. The Sularso Budilaksono team's blind guide rod, which is small and only has one function-the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor-is controlled by an Arduino master controller. This means that blind individuals cannot benefit from a better experience. This paper designs a blind guide stick with an STM32 single-chip microcomputer at its core. This microcomputer can accurately measure the distance by ultrasonic and feed back to the

Dry storage of used fuel from nuclear power plants has gone from an interim storage solution to a longer-term solution, which necessitates monitoring the integrity of the stainless steel canister that confines the used fuel. Since the storage facilities are located around the country in a variety of different environments there is a wide range of degradation mechanisms that could occur over time in the cylindrical canister. One potential degradation mode that has created significant concern is stress corrosion cracking. We propose using higher harmonic ultrasonic guided waves as a tool to nondestructively inspect used fuel canisters. Higher harmonics are generated when a wave propagates through a nonlinear elastic media. These higher harmonics have been shown to be quite sensitive to microstructural features such as dislocation substructures, persistent slip bands, precipitates, etc. The use of ultrasonic guided waves to inspect the canister is attractive due to the size of the cani...

I would like to describe some of our programs at NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA, on the development ~nd use of a new type of phase insensitive transducer we call an Acoustoelectric Converter, or an AEC. In the very short time I have here, I shall i~dicate why the AEC is significant and show some ultrasonic transmission results obtained from modified isometric attentuation scans of conventional ~DE resolution test plates containing simple flaws.

In many industrial domains, like chemistry, petrochemistry, gaz or water transportation, products are stored for long durations before their delivery. The storage units are submitted to environmental stresses (temperature and humidity variations, corrosion etc.). It is then important to have reliable tools to evaluate their health state and to detect as soon as possible the occurrence of damages. Guided waves methods are good candidates to fulfil these inspections. The guided waves that can propagate on cylindrical structures are multimodal and dispersive. They are generally classified in three families, denoted torsional, longitudinal and flexural modes, according to their polarization. In this paper, we will study the ability of ultrasonic guided modes to detect and localize a lack or an excess of coating on metallic tubes. First of we will study the dispersion curves of an aluminum tube and of a coated aluminum one. From this analysis we will show that the T(0,1) torsional mode i...

Damage is an inevitable occurrence in metallic structures and when unchecked could result in a catastrophic breakdown of structural assets. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) is adopted in industries for assessment and health inspection of structural assets. Prominent among the NDE techniques is guided wave ultrasonic testing (GWUT). This method is cost-effective and possesses an enormous capability for long-range inspection of corroded structures, detection of sundries of crack and other metallic damage structures at low frequency and energy attenuation. However, the parametric features of the GWUT are affected by structural and environmental operating conditions and result in masking damage signal. Most studies focused on identifying individual damage under varying conditions while combined damage phenomena can coexist in structure and hasten its deterioration. Hence, it is an impending task to study the effect of combined damage on a structure under varying conditions and correlate...

_Z o< o H_ D m DISCLAIMER z This reportwas preparedas an accountof worksponsoredby an agencyof the UnitedStates _-4 _ 03 Government.Neitherthe UnitedStates Government norany agencythereof,norany of their ZX_ O [x] E-4 employees, makesany warranty, expressor implied,or assumesany legal liabilityor responsi-03 _ _ bility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulnessof any information, apparatus, product, or _ processdisclosed, or representsthat its use wouldnot infringeprivatelyownedrights.Refer-< E-¢_ I_ ence hereinto any specificcommercial product,process, or serviceby trade name,trademark, _ _ manufacturer, or otherwisedoes not necessarily constituteor implyits endorsement, recom-::3 _ _ mendation, or favoringby the United States Government or any agencythereof.The views and opinionsof authorsexpressedhereindo not necessarilystate or reflect those of the UnitedStatesGovernment orany agencythereof. t'. t_ d M ,S EB OISTRIB1JTION OF THiS DOCUMENT IS UNLIMITED

Blind stick is a progressive stick designed for visually disabled humans for advanced navigation. The guy has been struggling with illnesses and weird. Visually challenged human beings are the ones that are hard to cope with of their manner. The main purpose of this paper is to feel the visually challenged people like a normal person with a higher navigation device. This smart walking stick is newer than traditional walking sticks. It makes use of a microcontroller to discover a barriers in the front, left, proper aspect, and additionally directs up-right all the way down to a man or woman. It is primarily based totally on ultrasonic sensors for distance size property. There is a voice playback module for displaying obstacles, which makes it possible to use sensors to track the path of obstacles around men or women with visual impairments. Also, a receiver and battery are attached to a stick to make it durable. This stick include LDR that&#39;s used to come across darkish area round...

The paper assesses the human health risk for users of allotment gardens in Wrocław. The assessment is made on the basis of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn) hazard. It takes the two main routes of exposure into account: accidental ingestion of contaminated soil and dermal contact with contaminated soil. Attention was focused on recreational scenario of hazard. The methods used have been recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Results of the analysis show the highest value of the hazard index can be observed for children, in the allotment gardens located in Wroclaw-Grabiszyn, in the area of environmental impact of Hutmen factory.

This effort develops and uses a smart stick to help blind individuals walk more safely and avoid hazards. This research paper involved to develop smart stick for blind people to help them to walk safely by avoiding obstructions, and at emergency conditions sent their location to person in charge like a doctor or relatives to help them accordingly. Three ultrasonic sensors are used in the proposed device's architecture to detect obstructions at three different heights, low, mid, and high obstructions using speaker to alert the blind person. An emergency message with the location of the blind person's phone is sent through a mobile app to the doctor or person in charge whenever the designed smart stick's emergency button is touched, or the stick is dropped down. The Arduino Uno platform, Bluetooth model, MPU-6050 3-axis gyroscope as a position sensor, and microSd card module has been used to effectively implement the stick. At the testing stage, the device gave good results. The user received notifications in the form of voice messages and vibrations from the smart stick when it detects things or obstacles in front of them. Additionally, even though they cannot directly activate it, the automated emergency condition has been detection and activated.

Blind stick is a progressive stick designed for visually disabled humans for advanced navigation. The guy has been struggling with illnesses and weird. Visually challenged human beings are the ones that are hard to cope with of their manner. The main purpose of this paper is to feel the visually challenged people like a normal person with a higher navigation device. This smart walking stick is newer than traditional walking sticks. It makes use of a microcontroller to discover a barriers in the front, left, proper aspect, and additionally directs up-right all the way down to a man or woman. It is primarily based totally on ultrasonic sensors for distance size property. There is a voice playback module for displaying obstacles, which makes it possible to use sensors to track the path of obstacles around men or women with visual impairments. Also, a receiver and battery are attached to a stick to make it durable. This stick include LDR that&#39;s used to come across darkish area round...

Application of phased array in ultrasonic testing of component, such forged or plate component, with longitudinal wave arranged in a sectorial scan centered at zero degree can be very attractive because the possibility, due to electronic sectorial scan of the ultrasonic beam, of a complete and documented volume inspection with a less number of scan lines than using standard probe. The problem is that in such inspection technique defect estimation is done, normally, by the use of AVG set of curves. Such curves are easily available for standard probe of circular shape, but not for phased array probe whose active area is a function of the number of active elements chosen and that can be strongly rectangular. In order to avoid such difficulty, we have implemented a computer model which is capable of generating the AVG curves giving in input the actual phased array parameters. This computer model has been assessed using some calibration blocks containing flat bottom holes. The results are very encouraging showing a good performance when defects are in the far field of actual probe configuration, while in the nearfield region the generated AVG curves lead to a defect overestimation.

Splitting a beam so as to separate it into a transmitted and reflected component is normally associated with laser optics. An interesting feature was observed when designing a water-column delay line that suggested a similar beam splitting effect could be had for acoustic applications. This paper provides a description of the principles involved and a description of a prototype delay line using these principles.

Splitting a beam so as to separate it into a transmitted and reflected component is normally associated with laser optics. An interesting feature was observed when designing a water-column delay line that suggested a similar beam splitting effect could be had for acoustic applications. This paper provides a description of the principles involved and a description of a prototype delay line using these principles.

1 Materials Research Institute, Waterloo, Ontario Ca nada e-mail: eginzel@mri.on.ca 2 Aerojet Rocketdyne, Los Angeles, California, USA Steve.James@rocket.com Abstract Flat bottom holes in cylindrical blocks have long b een used as references for sensitivity settings of ultrasonic instruments. In addition to setting sensitivity, t hese blocks are sometimes used as a means of monito ring probes and instruments for change over time. A descriptio n of the fabrication requirements for the standard set of reference blocks can be found in ASTM standards E12 7 and E428. In ASTM E127 there is a tolerance allo wed for the expected responses. This paper considers s ome of the variables that might be responsible for deviation from the ideal curve of amplitude responses expecte d and examines the degree of variability that might account for these variations.

Surprisingly, the effect of ultrasonic probe orientation on defect signal amplitudes has not been studied in detail in the open literature. This has significance for defect detection as the switch from manual to automated ultrasonics continues. This work measured the signal amplitudes from dozens of artificial defects to determine oscillation (also called 'skew') amplitude changes. As expected, the amplitudes dropped significantly, such that oscillations of 10º or more could easily result in missed defects. This result has significant importance for manual inspections, where operators are mandated to swivel probes. Oscillation effects, and the uncertainty of swivelling in service, could partly explain lower manual detection of defects.

Ultrasonic monitoring is one of the most important tools in the field of structural health monitoring (SHM). The main goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the recent advances and achievements in ultrasonic wave SHM of buildings and bridges built with concrete and steel materials and the types of sensors used in these structures. In this paper, the parameters affecting the monitoring process, including the type of damage, the type of ultrasonic wave, and the type of sensor, are reviewed. The sensor devices used to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, like lead zirconate titanate, electromagnetic acoustic transducer, and others and their applications in building and bridges, are discussed. The limitations of each type of theses sensors are highlighted. Finally, conclusions are drawn and recommendations for an improved sensor overcoming the shortcomings of the current sensors are given.

Not all humans are created with normal eyes. Blindness is not only interfered with daily activities but also has socio-economic impacts on the environment, society, and the country. Those who have visual impairment usually have difficulty when walking and doing activities, while they still generally use traditional and manual walking sticks to help them. This research aims to help blind people carry out activities and improve facilities to use more sophisticated technology. The method used in this study is to use the prototype method. It is a process where simple modeling allows visually impaired people to have a primary picture of the program and conduct initial testing on tools, and facilitate the blind to interact with each other during the manufacturing process so that developers can easily model the software to be made. The results of this study constructed an automatic stick that can detect obstructions in front and top and detect puddles using a buzzer as a notification if th...

Rail tracks undergo massive stresses that can affect their structural integrity and produce rail breakage. The last phenomenon represents a serious concern for railway management authorities, since it may cause derailments and, consequently, losses of rolling stock material and lives. Therefore, the activities of track maintenance and inspection are of paramount importance. In recent years, the use of various technologies for monitoring rails and the detection of their defects has been investigated; however, despite the important progresses in this field, substantial research efforts are still required to achieve higher scanning speeds and improve the reliability of diagnostic procedures. It is expected that, in the near future, an important role in track maintenance and inspection will be played by the ultrasonic guided wave technology. In this manuscript, its use in rail track monitoring is investigated in detail; moreover, both of the main strategies investigated in the technical...

Focusing on predictive maintenance for optimised maintenance schedules, energy, aerospace, oil and gas industries are seeking technologies to enable in-service structural health monitoring (SHM) of their critical assets. Many of these critical assets such as turbine engine components and steamlines operate at elevated temperatures. For such high temperature (HT) applications, advanced piezoelectric materials are required for construction of ultrasonic transducers. Ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) technology has been widely used for pipeline inspection but HT ultrasonic transducers are required to enable in-service SHM of steamlines. The main criterion for HT-UGW transducer design is an appropriate, temperature-stable ultrasonic response at target temperatures and a stable frequency response (in the range10-150 kHz for pipes of 2-48 inch diameter) to maintain defect sensitivity at HT. These transducers comprise piezoelectric materials of appropriate polarisation and dimensions, which, when excited with an electrical input, transmit the desired displacement patterns to the UGW modes in the structure being monitored. The detection of defects is indicated by changes in the received ultrasonic measurements. With temperature variations and over time, the dielectric, elastic and piezoelectric properties of the active material can diverge, leading to deviations in the ultrasonic response that may lead to false alarms. This comparative study investigates and compares the performance of four commercially available HT piezoelectric materials: PZT-5A, MBT, LiNbO 3 and GaPO 4. The maximum recommended operating temperatures for long-term use of these selected materials are 200°C, 400°C, 600°C and 720°C, respectively. Elastic, dielectric and material properties representing a figure of merit for piezo transducers are determined at increasing temperatures up to 600°C and over a period of 1000 hours. The findings from this work will enable transducer design to use the most appropriate piezoelectric material for the target temperature range.

In this paper, a low-frequency (20-100 kHz) long-range ultrasonic guided wave transducer for in-service structural health monitoring of high temperature pipework in power plants has been developed. The transducer is designed for continuous operation at a target temperature of 350°C. This paper describes the methodology followed to develop and test the high temperature transducer. The method includes selection of the suitable piezoelectric material and characterisation of their high temperature properties for the desired thickness-shear mode of vibration to validate its performance at the target temperature. The assembly procedure established for manufacturing transducer is discussed. Ultrasonic performance of the developed transducer was examined and has demonstrated its application for in-service monitoring of pipework operating at the target temperature.

Malina właściwa (Rubus idaeus L.) jest jedną z najstarszych roślin znanych ludzkości i od wieków wykorzystywana do celów spożywczych oraz leczniczych. O przydatności owoców maliny (Fructus Rubi idaei) i liści (Folium Rubi idaei) decyduje w dużej mierze ich skład chemiczny. Wartość biologiczna owoców maliny właściwej zależy od poziomu antyoksydantów, do których między innymi zalicza się kwas askorbinowy i antocyjany. Natomiast o smaku i aromacie owoców decyduje stopień ich dojrzałości, odmiana, zawartość cukrów prostych, kwasów organicznych oraz substancji lotnych. Owoce maliny są również bogatym źródłem witamin (głównie witaminy C, witamin z grupy B, PP, A, E oraz K), składników mineralnych: potasu (K), wapnia (Ca), magnezu (Mg), żelaza(Fe) oraz w mniejszych ilościach manganu (Mn), miedzi (Cu), cynku (Zn) (dlatego mają działanie odkwaszające, wzmacniają serce i regulują pracę układu nerwowego). Zawierają również spore ilości błonnika i pektyn. Wyniki ostatnich badań naukowych dowiod...

Modern teleconference systems have set a new paradigm for speech quality, calling for a more rigorous control over potential impairments and resulting quality of service. Reliable and efficient tools for quality assessment (QA) of speech should be automatic and capable of emulating subjective tests. The present paper addresses this topic by proposing a simple teleconference model (called TMAI) intended as a framework to the design of QA tests for acoustically impaired speech. A procedure for building a database of reference and degraded signals to be employed in QA tests which uses the TMAI is described.

The increasing pollution levels, rising energy demand, and the inadequacy of conventional fuels have spurred interest in alternative sources of fossil fuel supply and demand. This problem has shifted the focus towards the examination of a promising sustainable alternative for diesel fuels. In this sense, biodiesel can be a more suitable candidate for energy, environmentally harmless, and cost-competitive approach to respond to the energy demand. The application of ultrasonic energy in biodiesel production via transesterification has been endorsed as an efficient approach that improves mass transfer factors resulting in decreased reaction times and potentially lower process expense. This study investigates the advancements in ultrasonic energy for biodiesel generation from various raw materials utilizing different catalysts. A critical assessment of the current approach is furnished, emphasizing the application of ultrasonic irradiation. Besides, in order to better understand ultrasonic energy, each ultrasonic cavitation (UC) and hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) is discussed. Regarding each approach, the fundamental concepts are discussed in detail. Generally, the present study aims at conveying a comprehensive overview of ultrasonic energy usage in transesterification reactions and furnishing an outlook on prospective developments in the technology.

A technique for the nondestructive testing of ship hulls that are made of composite mate rials in the process of their operation is considered. The study was performed using the impedance method and the free vibration method taking the peculiarities of the test object design into account. The results are presented.

This research presents the development and assessment of a groundbreaking assistive device-the Smart Walking Stick-with the integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and voice guidance capabilities. The study aims to address the mobility challenges faced by visually impaired students, particularly those attending the College of Education Special, Oyo State, Ibadan, Nigeria. The research methodology encompasses the design, development, and evaluation phases of the Smart Walking Stick. A user-centered design approach guided the creation of a user-friendly and culturally relevant device, incorporating a Nigerian Language voice command system. Usability testing and field performance evaluations demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the device in assisting visually impaired students with navigation. Key findings reveal that the Smart Walking Stick provides practical and affordable solutions for obstacle detection and navigation over distances of up to 50 meters. It offers low power consumption, rapid response times, and a lightweight design, contributing to user satisfaction and increased independence. While the current iteration primarily for obstacle detection and Navigation within campus, the integration of a Global Positioning System (GPS) for precise user location tracking and the incorporation of voice direction is to offer users flexibility and comfort during navigation. This research underscores the importance of inclusive technology development, particularly for visually impaired individuals in developing countries. The Smart Walking Stick, with its innovative features and localization efforts, presents a promising assistive solution that can significantly impact the mobility and independence of visually impaired students. The study concludes with recommendations for further technological enhancements, user training programs, localization efforts, and collaboration with stakeholders to promote the broader implementation of the Smart Walking Stick within the visually impaired community.

This research presents the development and assessment of a groundbreaking assistive device-the Smart Walking Stick-with the integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and voice guidance capabilities. The study aims to address the mobility challenges faced by visually impaired students, particularly those attending the College of Education Special, Oyo State, Ibadan, Nigeria. The research methodology encompasses the design, development, and evaluation phases of the Smart Walking Stick. A user-centered design approach guided the creation of a user-friendly and culturally relevant device, incorporating a Nigerian Language voice command system. Usability testing and field performance evaluations demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the device in assisting visually impaired students with navigation. Key findings reveal that the Smart Walking Stick provides practical and affordable solutions for obstacle detection and navigation over distances of up to 50 meters. It offers low power consumption, rapid response times, and a lightweight design, contributing to user satisfaction and increased independence. While the current iteration primarily for obstacle detection and Navigation within campus, the integration of a Global Positioning System (GPS) for precise user location tracking and the incorporation of voice direction is to offer users flexibility and comfort during navigation. This research underscores the importance of inclusive technology development, particularly for visually impaired individuals in developing countries. The Smart Walking Stick, with its innovative features and localization efforts, presents a promising assistive solution that can significantly impact the mobility and independence of visually impaired students. The study concludes with recommendations for further technological enhancements, user training programs, localization efforts, and collaboration with stakeholders to promote the broader implementation of the Smart Walking Stick within the visually impaired community.

This research presents the development and assessment of a groundbreaking assistive device-the Smart Walking Stick-with the integration of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and voice guidance capabilities. The study aims to address the mobility challenges faced by visually impaired students, particularly those attending the College of Education Special, Oyo State, Ibadan, Nigeria. The research methodology encompasses the design, development, and evaluation phases of the Smart Walking Stick. A user-centered design approach guided the creation of a user-friendly and culturally relevant device, incorporating a Nigerian Language voice command system. Usability testing and field performance evaluations demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the device in assisting visually impaired students with navigation. Key findings reveal that the Smart Walking Stick provides practical and affordable solutions for obstacle detection and navigation over distances of up to 50 meters. It offers low power consumption, rapid response times, and a lightweight design, contributing to user satisfaction and increased independence. While the current iteration primarily for obstacle detection and Navigation within campus, the integration of a Global Positioning System (GPS) for precise user location tracking and the incorporation of voice direction is to offer users flexibility and comfort during navigation. This research underscores the importance of inclusive technology development, particularly for visually impaired individuals in developing countries. The Smart Walking Stick, with its innovative features and localization efforts, presents a promising assistive solution that can significantly impact the mobility and independence of visually impaired students. The study concludes with recommendations for further technological enhancements, user training programs, localization efforts, and collaboration with stakeholders to promote the broader implementation of the Smart Walking Stick within the visually impaired community.

Membrane systems are increasingly being used for treating water, wastewater, and reused water. However, membrane damage can decrease removal efficiency and hinder downstream applicability. Thus, the operating conditions of the membrane should be monitored. This study monitored the operating conditions of the membrane using lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) measurements in an external air pipe. Pilot-scale tests were performed to verify the performance of the proposed method. A pressure decay test (PDT) was performed using a PZT-attached air pipe, in which the pressure was measured using PZT, and a pressure gauge was employed to measure the reference pressure. The EMI signals changed according to the variations in the pressure inside the steel air pipe. To index the signal variation, the amplitude of the major peak was extracted and compared with the reference pressure. The amplitude of the major peak was inversely proportional to the pressure cha...

A high frequency 250 MHz A-scan system has been used for flaw detection. We have been able to detect 25-500 ~m defects of different types (C, Si, SIC, BN, Fe, WC) in a Si 3 N 4 plate. Since it is difficult to determine the defect type and size from the amplitude of the backscattered signal , we have carried out Fourier transforms of the backscattered signal to obtain reflectivity as a function of frequency, and used that information to characterize the size and type of defect. Our ea~ly experiments have been with voids in glass and Si 3 N 4 and we are able to predict the size of the defects we detect.