传感器在生物医学领域研究的前沿进展--TRANSDUCERS 2023国际会议综述

2023年6月25日至6月29日,第22届国际固态传感器、执行器和微系统会议(TRANSDUCERS 2023)在日本京都召开,来自世界各地的专家学者济济一堂,分享在传感器与执行器等领域的最新研究成果。本文从可穿戴生物传感器、生物传感器后端电路和传感器在生物医学领域的应用等3个角度,详细介绍并阐述本次会议上的前沿研究成果,并对相关研究成果的研究意义与未来展望给出了总结。

Photoacoustic microscopy based on transparent piezoelectric ultrasound transducers

Photoacoustic microscopy(PAM),due to its deep penetration depth and high contrast,is playing an increasingly important role in biomedical imaging.PAM imaging systems equipped with conventional ultrasound transducers have demonstrated excellent imaging performance.However,these opaque ultrasonic transducers bring some constraints to the further development and application of PAM,such as complex optical path,bulky size,and difficult to integrate with other modalities.To overcome these problems,ultrasonic transducers with high optical transparency have appeared.At present,transparent ultrasonic transducers are divided into optical-based and acoustic-based sensors.In this paper,we mainly describe the acoustic-based piezoelectric transparent transducers in detail,of which the research advances in PAM applications are reviewed.In addition,the potential challenges and developments of transparent transducers in PAM are also demonstrated.

Inner damage identification and residual strength assessment of a 3D printed tunnel with marble-like cementitious materials using piezoelectric transducers

Quantitative damage identification of surrounding rock is important to assess the current condition and residual strength of underground tunnels.In this work,an underground tunnel model with marble-like cementitious materials was first fabricated using the three-dimensional(3D)printing technique and then loaded to simulate its failure mode in the laboratory.Lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric(PZT)transducers were embedded in the surrounding rock around the tunnel in the process of 3D printing.A 3D monitoring network was formed to locate damage areas and evaluate damage extent during loading.Results show that as the load increased,main cracks firstly appeared above the tunnel roof and below the floor,and then they coalesced into the tunnel boundary.Finally,the tunnel model was broken into several parts.The resonant frequency and the peak of the conductance signature firstly shifted rightwards with loading due to the sealing of microcracks,and then shifted backwards after new cracks appeared.An overall increase in the root-mean-square deviation(RMSD)calculated from conductance signatures of all the PZT transducers was observed as the load(damage)increased.Damage-dependent equivalent stiffness parameters(ESPs)were calculated from the real and imaginary signatures of each PZT at different damage states.Satisfactory agreement between equivalent and experimental ESP values was achieved.Also,the relationship between the change of the ESP and the residual strength was obtained.The method paves the way for damage identification and residual strength estimation of other 3D printed structures in civil engineering.

Effects of interleukin-10 treated macrophages on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway

BACKGROUND Alveolar bone defects caused by inflammation are an urgent issue in oral implant surgery that must be solved.Regulating the various phenotypes of macrophages to enhance the inflammatory environment can significantly affect the progression of diseases and tissue engineering repair process.AIM To assess the influence of interleukin-10(IL-10)on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)following their interaction with macrophages in an inflammatory environment.METHODS IL-10 modulates the differentiation of peritoneal macrophages in Wistar rats in an inflammatory environment.In this study,we investigated its impact on the proliferation,migration,and osteogenesis of BMSCs.The expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and its activated form,phos-phorylated-STAT3,were examined in IL-10-stimulated macrophages.Subsequently,a specific STAT3 signaling inhibitor was used to impede STAT3 signal activation to further investigate the role of STAT3 signaling.RESULTS IL-10-stimulated macrophages underwent polarization to the M2 type through substitution,and these M2 macrophages actively facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.Mechanistically,STAT3 signaling plays a crucial role in the process by which IL-10 influences macrophages.Specifically,IL-10 stimulated the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced the macrophage inflammatory response,as evidenced by its diminished impact on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.CONCLUSION Stimulating macrophages with IL-10 proved effective in improving the inflammatory environment and promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.The IL-10/STAT3 signaling pathway has emerged as a key regulator in the macrophage-mediated control of BMSCs’osteogenic differentiation.

Excitation and Detection of Shear Horizontal Waves with Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers for Nondestructive Testing of Plates

The fundamental shear horizontal（SH0） wave has several unique features that are attractive for long-range nondestructive testing（NDT）. By a careful design of the geometric configuration, electromagnetic acoustic transducers（EMATs） have the capability to generate a wide range of guided wave modes, such as Lamb waves and shear-horizontal（SH） waves in plates. However, the performance of EMATs is influenced by their parameters. To evaluate the performance of periodic permanent magnet（PPM） EMATs, a distributed-line-source model is developed to calculate the angular acoustic field cross-section in the far-field. Numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the performance of such EMATs with different geometric parameters, such as period and number of magnet arrays, and inner and outer coil widths. Such parameters have a great influence on the directivity of the generated SH0 waves that arises mainly in the amplitude and width of both main and side lobes. According to the numerical analysis, these parameters are optimized to obtain better directivity. Optimized PPM EMATs are designed and used for NDT of strip plates. Experimental results show that the lateral boundary of the strip plate has no perceivable influence on SHO-wave propagation, thus validating their used in NDT. The proposed model predicts the radiation pattern ofPPM EMATs, and can be used for their parameter optimization.

Modeling and finite element analysis of transduction process of electromagnetic acoustic transducers for nonferromagnetic metal material testing

Facing the problems lack of considering the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field and computing the panicle displacements in the simulation model of electromagnetic acoustic transducer （EMAT）, a multi-field coupled model was established and the finite element method （FEM） was presented to calculate the entire transduction process. The multi-field coupled model included the static magnetic field, pulsed eddy current field and mechanical field. The FEM equations of the three fields were derived by Garlerkin FEM method. Thus, the entire transduction process of the EMAT was calculated through sequentially coupling the three fields. The transduction process of a Lamb wave EMAT was calculated according to the present model and method. The results show that, by the present method, it is valid to calculate the particle displacement under the given excitation signal and non-uniformly distributed static magnetic field. Calculation error will be brought about if the non-uniform distribution of the static bias magnetic field is neglected.

Dynamic Deformation Monitoring of Lotsane Bridge Using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT)

The measurements and analysis of deformation of engineering structures such as dams, bridges and high-rise buildings are important tasks for civil engineers. It is evident that, all civil engineering structures are susceptible for deterioration over a period of time. Bridges in particular, deteriorate due to loading conditions, environmental changes, earth movement, material used during construction, age and corrosion of steel. Continuous monitoring of such structure is the most important aspect as it provides quantitative information, assesses the state of the structure, detects unsafe positions and proposes early safety measures to be taken before it can threaten the safety of vehicles, goods and human life. Despite government’s efforts to construct roads and highways, bridge deformation monitoring has not been given priority in most of African countries and ultimately causes some bridges to collapse unexpectedly. The purpose of this research is to integrate Global Positioning System (GPS) and Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT) to monitor deformation of a bridge. The horizontal positions of reference and monitoring points were determined using Global Positioning System (GPS) while the vertical deflections, accelerations and strain were determined using Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT). The maximum displacements obtained between zero and first epochs in x, y and z components were 0.798 m, at point LT08, 0.865 m at point BR13, and 0.56 m at point LT02 respectively. The maximum deflections for LVDT 1, 2 and 3 are 28.563 mm, 31.883 mm and 40.926 mm respectively. Finally, the correlation coefficient for the observations was 0.679 with standard deviations of 0.0168 and 0.0254 in x and y respectively. Our results identified some slight displacements in horizontal components at the bridge.

ACOUSTICAL TRANSMISSION LINE MODEL FOR ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS FOR WIDE-BANDWIDTH APPLICATION

An improved model for ultrasonic transducers is proposed. By considering only the first symmetric mode, each layer is represented as an acoustical transmission line in modeling of bulk wave transducers. In imaging applications, wide bandwidth and short time duration are required. The approach we have used consists of impedance matching the front face of the piezoelectric transducer to the propagating medium with a quarter wavelength impedance matching layer and inserting an nnmatching quarter wavelength acoustical layer between the rear face and backing material. A heavy backing would degrade the wide-band phenomena, but show a time duration shorter than 0.5 μs for imaging applications. PSPICE code of the controlled source model is implemented to precisely predict the performance of the matched transducers such as impedance, insertion loss, bandwidth and duration of the impulse response. Good agreement between the simulation and experimental results has been achieved.

开启微纳传感领域的新天地——Transducers 2011国际会议综述

2011年6月5日至9日,第16届国际固态传感器、执行器与微系统会议(Transducers'11)在北京国家会议中心隆重召开。此次会议设有微纳传感器、微加工技术、生物、微能源等12个专题,共录用743篇文章,吸引了来自世界各地的1200多位专家、学者。本文将从大会特邀报告、微流体技术、圆片级加工技术、化学传感器、微能源装置等角度详细介绍此次会议的盛况,分析相关领域的研究现状及发展趋势,并对会议的影响进行总结和阐述。

Selective generation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by electromagnetic acoustic transducers

In this paper, we describe a modal expansion approach for the analysis of the selective generation of ultrasonic Lamb waves by electromagnetic acoustic transducers （EMATs）. With the modal expansion approach for waveguide excitation, an analytical expression of the Lamb wave＇s mode expansion coefficient is deduced, which is related to the driving frequency and the geometrical parameters of the EMAT＇s meander coil, and lays a theoretical foundation for exactly analyzing the selective generation of Larnb waves with EMATs. The influences of the driving frequency on the mode expansion coefficient of ultrasonic Lamb waves are analyzed when the EMAT＇s geometrical parameters are given. The numerical simulations and experimental examinations show that the ultrasonic Lamb wave modes can be effectively regulated （strengthened or restrained） by choosing an appropriate driving frequency of EMAT, with the geometrical parameters given. This result provides a theoretical and experimental basis for selectively generating a single and pure Lamb wave mode with EMATs.

Main Features of a Complete Ultrasonic Measurement Model: Formal Aspects of Modeling of Both Transducers Radiation and Ultrasonic Flaws Responses

This paper aims at describing the theoretical fundamentals of a reciprocity-based ultrasonic measurement model. This complete inspection simulation can be decomposed in two modeling steps, one dedicated to transducer radiation and one to flaw scattering and echo synthesis. The physical meaning of the input/output signals used in these two modeling tools is defined and the theoretical principles of both field calculation and echo computation models are then detailed. The influence on the modeling results of some changes in the simulated configuration (as the incident angle) or some input signal parameters (like the frequency) are studied: it is thus theoretically established that the simulated results can be compared between each other in terms of amplitude for numerous applications when changing some inspection parameters in the simulation but that a calibration for echo calculation is generally required.

Design of interdigitated transducers for acoustofluidic applications

Interdigitated transducers(IDTs)were originally designed as delay lines for radars.Half a century later,they have found new life as actuators for microfluidic systems.By generating strong acoustic fields,they trigger nonlinear effects that enable pumping and mixing of fluids,and moving particles without contact.However,the transition from signal processing to actuators comes with a range of challenges concerning power density and spatial resolution that have spurred exciting developments in solid-state acoustics and especially in IDT design.Assuming some familiarity with acoustofluidics,this paper aims to provide a tutorial for IDT design and characterization for the purpose of acoustofluidic actuation.It is targeted at a diverse audience of researchers in various fields,including fluid mechanics,acoustics,and microelectronics.

Advantage analysis of PMN-PT material for free-flooded ring transducers

The acoustic radiation characteristics of free-flooded ring transducers made of PZT4 and PMN-PT materials are calculated and compared. First, the theoretical formulae for free-flooded ring transducers are studied. The resonant frequencies of a transducer made of PZT4 and PMN PT materials are calculated. Then, the transmitting voltage responses of the free-flooded ring transducers are calculated using the finite element method. Finally, the acoustic radiation characteristics of the free-flooded ring transducers are calculated using the boundary element method. The calculated results show that the resonant frequencies of the free-flooded ring transducer made of PMN -PT are greatly reduced compared with those made of PZT4 with the same size. The transmitting voltage response of the transducer made of PMN-PT is much higher than that of the transducer made of PZT4. The calculated 3-dB beamwidth of the acoustic radiated far-field directivity of the free-flooded ring transducer made of PZT4 at the resonant frequency 1900 Hz is 63.6° and that of the transducer made of PMN-PT at the resonant frequency 1000 Hz is 64.6°. The comparison results show that the freepflooded ring transducer made of PMN PT material has many advantages over that made of PZT4. The PMNPT is a promising material for improving the performance of free-flooded ring transducers.

DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AXIALLY-SYMMETRICAL ANNULAR CORRUGATED SHELL PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS

The coupled extensional and flexural vibrations of an annular corrugated shell piezoelectric transducer consisting of multiple circularly-annular surfaces smoothly connected along the interfaces were investigated in the paper. Only a time-harmonic voltage is applied across two electrodes of the piezoelectric shell as the external loading. A theoretical solution was obtained using the classical shell theory. Based on the solution, basic vibration characteristics of resonant frequencies, mode shapes were calculated and examined.

Generalized Dynamic Modeling of Iron-Gallium Alloy (Galfenol) for Transducers

In this research, using the energy approach, a generalized dynamic model is derived for Galfenol (Iron-Gallium Alloy) based on the mechanical strain theory and the Jiles-Atherton model. Experiments have been conducted to measure the relationship between the strain and the magnetic field. Using experimental data, unknown parameters in the model have been identified by a developed optimization algorithm. Results show that the novel dynamic model with identified parameters is capable of describing the performance of the Galfenol rod. Simulation and experiment dynamic responses of Galfenol rods are derived. The simulation and the experiment both agree that the magnitude of the strain output decreases with the increase of the excitation frequency.

Wideband dipole antenna with inter-digital capacitor

A dipole antenna with wideband characteristics is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a dipole with periodic capacitive loading and a pair of coplanar striplines （CPSs） as an impedance transformer. By adding interlaced coupling lines at each section, periodic capacitive loading is realized. The periodic interlaced coupling lines divide each arm of the dipole into five sections, and currents are distributed on different sections at different frequencies, which is useful to achieve a wide impedance bandwidth. By parametric study using HFSS, the optimized parameters of this dipole antenna are obtained. In order to validate the simulation results, a prototype of the proposed dipole antenna is fabricated and tested. The results show that the proposed antenna can achieve a gain of 3.1 dB–5.1 dB and bandwidth of 51% for ｜S 11 ｜ 10 dB over the band of 3.9 GHz–6.6 GHz, indicating its good radiation performance and radiation efficiency.

Noncontact Driving System Using Induction-Based Method and Integrated Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers

Integrated Ultrasonic Transducers (IUTs) have been developed for high-temperature nondestructive evaluation applications. In many field, it would be helpful if a pipe covered by a protective layer of about 10 cm thickness, which is under operation at several hundred Celsius, could be inspected from above the protective layer by an IUT. As a first step toward achieving the inspection of such a pipeline, an induction-based method using coils is presented together with IUTs. This study focuses on the effects of the separation distance (liftoff) between the coils on the ultrasonic signal strength and bandwidth of the IUTs. Ultrasonic signals were generated and received by the IUTs on a steel plate with a sufficient strength for thickness measurements when the liftoff was 20 cm. It was also shown that a ferrite disc together with the coils enhanced the received signal strength even when the liftoff was over 10 cm.

Quiet Zone Design in Diffuse Fields Using Ultrasonic Transducers

This paper presents quiet zone design using ultrasonic transducers for local active control in pure tone diffuse fields. Most of researches in local active noise control used conventional loudspeakers for the secondary sources to produce quiet zones. Recently ultrasonic transducers have been used for the secondary sources to control the plane wave in active noise control. However there is no research related to active noise control in diffuse fields using ultrasonic transducers. Therefore this study uses ultrasonic transducers for the secondary sources to control the diffuse fields. The quiet zone produced using ultrasonic transducers in single tone diffuse fields has been analyzed through simulations in this work. The results showed that quiet zones created using ultrasonic transducers were larger than those created using conventional loudspeakers. This is due to the fact that the audible sound pressure produced by the ultrasonic transducers decays slowly with the distance. Therefore the secondary field created by an ultrasonic transducer could fit the primary field better and the larger zone of quiet could be obtained using the ultrasonic transducer. Also the audible sound produced by the ultrasonic transducers is directional;therefore the sound pressure amplification outside the quiet zones was lower.

Magnetostriction and Acoustics Properties of Tb_(1-x)Dy_x (Fe_(1-y)Mn_y)_(1.95) Alloys and Their Application to Sonar Transducers

The magnetostriction and acoustics properties of Tb1-x xDyx (Fe1-yMny) 1.95 alloys and their application to sonar transducers were studied. The following results were obtained from experiments. When the applied magnetic field intensity is ≥ 800 kA·m-1, the magnetostrictive coefficients are (1300- 1800)× 10-6. The electromechanical coupling factors are 0.84-0.93, the sound velocities 2168-2856 m·s-1 and the Young's modulus (5.06- 7.26) ×10 N·m-2. A sonar transducer made of the alloy rod, which has a total length of 300 mm and a total weight of 2 kg, is characterized by 2.4 kHz specified resonant frequency, 1 kHz frequency band, 173 kB current response and 45% electroacoustic efficiency.

Development of a Compact Photoacoustic Tomography Imaging System with Dual Single-Element Transducers for Image Enhancement

Objective:This paper proposes a new photoacoustic computed tomography(PACT)imaging system employing dual ultrasonic transducers with different frequencies.When imaging complex biological tissues,photoacoustic(PA)signals with multiple frequencies are produced simultaneously;however,due to the limited bandwidth of a single-frequency transducer,the received PA signals with specific frequencies may be missing,leading to a low imaging quality.Methods:In contrast to our previous work,the proposed system has a compact volume as well as specific selection of the detection center frequency of the transducer,which can provide a comprehensive range for the detection of PA signals.In this study,a series of numerical simulation and phantom experiments were performed to validate the efficacy of the developed PACT system.Results:The images generated by our system combined the advantages of both high resolution and ideal brightness/contrast.Conclusion:The interchangeability of transducers with different frequencies provides potential for clinical deployment under the circumstance where a single frequency transducer cannot perform well.