Next Article in Journal
Machine Learning Frameworks for SHM: A Case Study on the Infante D. Henrique Bridge
Previous Article in Journal
Design and Implementation of an SFCW Radar Platform for Environmental Monitoring
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
NDT
Volume 4
Issue 1
10.3390/ndt4010007
ndt-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Non-Contact Characterization of Plates Using a Turbulent Air-Jet Source and an Ultrasound Microphone

by
Jake Pretula
1,
Nolan Shaw
1,
Elizabeth F. DeCorby
2,
Ayden Chen
2,
Kyle G. Scheuer
2 and
Ray G. DeCorby
1,2,*
1
ECE Department, University of Alberta, 9211-116 St. NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
2
Ultracoustics Technologies Ltd., 10230 Jasper Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4P6, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
NDT 2026, 4(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/ndt4010007
Submission received: 11 December 2025 / Revised: 20 January 2026 / Accepted: 23 January 2026 / Published: 1 February 2026
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

We report on the non-contact characterization of various plate materials (including aluminum and steel) using a high-pressure, micrometer-scale air jet as a broadband ultrasound source and an optomechanical microphone as a receiver. Through-plate transmission spectra are dominated by zero-group-velocity (ZGV) Lamb modes. We attribute this to the ‘point-like’ nature of both the source and receiver, since ZGV modes are spatially localized and comprise a range of non-normal wave numbers. As is well known, the properties of the ZGV modes, including their frequency and amplitude, are sensitive to thickness variations or the presence of defects. The continuous nature and high acoustic power of the gas jet source enabled us to perform uninterrupted scanning of non-uniform steel plates. Given the ubiquitous and low-cost nature of compressed air systems, our approach might be of interest for the rapid inspection of industrial parts.
Keywords: air-coupled ultrasound inspection; non-destructive testing; optomechanical sensors; zero-group-velocity (ZGV) Lamb modes; ultrasonic plate inspection air-coupled ultrasound inspection; non-destructive testing; optomechanical sensors; zero-group-velocity (ZGV) Lamb modes; ultrasonic plate inspection

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Pretula, J.; Shaw, N.; DeCorby, E.F.; Chen, A.; Scheuer, K.G.; DeCorby, R.G. Non-Contact Characterization of Plates Using a Turbulent Air-Jet Source and an Ultrasound Microphone. NDT 2026, 4, 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/ndt4010007

AMA Style

Pretula J, Shaw N, DeCorby EF, Chen A, Scheuer KG, DeCorby RG. Non-Contact Characterization of Plates Using a Turbulent Air-Jet Source and an Ultrasound Microphone. NDT. 2026; 4(1):7. https://doi.org/10.3390/ndt4010007

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pretula, Jake, Nolan Shaw, Elizabeth F. DeCorby, Ayden Chen, Kyle G. Scheuer, and Ray G. DeCorby. 2026. "Non-Contact Characterization of Plates Using a Turbulent Air-Jet Source and an Ultrasound Microphone" NDT 4, no. 1: 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/ndt4010007

APA Style

Pretula, J., Shaw, N., DeCorby, E. F., Chen, A., Scheuer, K. G., & DeCorby, R. G. (2026). Non-Contact Characterization of Plates Using a Turbulent Air-Jet Source and an Ultrasound Microphone. NDT, 4(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/ndt4010007

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop