Fundamentally new approach to ultrasound imaging

Date:
August 13, 2020
Source:
North Carolina State University
Summary:
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique for creating
ultrasound images. The new approach is substantially simpler than
existing techniques and could significantly drive down technology
costs.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== North Carolina State University researchers have demonstrated a
new technique for creating ultrasound images. The new approach is
substantially simpler than existing techniques and could significantly
drive down technology costs.


========================================================================== "Conventional ultrasound devices have a receiver that detects ultrasonic
waves and converts them into an electrical signal, which is then sent
to a computer that processes the signal and converts it into an image,"
says Xiaoning Jiang, co-corresponding author of a paper on the work and
a Duncan Distinguished Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
at NC State. "We've created a device that effectively eliminates the
electrical signal processing altogether." Specifically, the researchers
have developed a receiver that incorporates a piezoelectric crystal and
an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). When an ultrasonic wave hits
the crystal, it produces voltage, which causes the OLED to light up. In
other words, the image appears on the OLED screen, which is built into
the receiver itself.

"Our prototype is a proof-of-concept, so we designed it with an OLED array
that is 10 pixels by 10 pixels; the resolution isn't great," says Franky
So, co- corresponding author of the study. "However, I can easily make it
500 pixels by 500 pixels, boosting the resolution substantially." So is
the Walter and Ida Freeman Distinguished Professor of Materials Science
and Engineering at NC State.

"Conventional ultrasound imaging probes can cost upward of $100,000
because they contain thousands of transducer array elements, which
drives up manufacturing costs," So says. "We can make ultrasound receiver-display units for $100 or so." "This is really a completely new
field for ultrasound, so we're only beginning to explore the potential applications," Jiang says. "However, there are obvious near-term
applications, such as non-destructive testing, evaluation and inspections
in the context of structural health monitoring."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by North_Carolina_State_University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Hyeonggeun Yu, Jinwook Kim, Howuk Kim, Nilesh Barange, Xiaoning
Jiang,
Franky So. Direct Acoustic Imaging Using a Piezoelectric Organic
Light- Emitting Diode. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020;
12 (32): 36409 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c05615 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200813131257.htm

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