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Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing
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Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Physical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 9248

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Ming Zhu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Electronic Information and Communications, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: weak signal processing; aerosol sensing; gas sensing; DSP processor chip technology; ultrasonic signal processing; ultrasonic sensors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The significant advancements in materials science and micro/nanotechnology are driving the development of ultrasonic sensor technology towards high precision, low power consumption, and strong environmental adaptability. With the continuous integration with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and edge computing, the application scope of ultrasonic technology has expanded from traditional fields such as medical diagnosis and industrial monitoring to emerging fields such as environmental monitoring and safety protection, which has had a profound and positive impact on the sustainable development of human society.

For this Special Issue of Sensors, we invite scholars from the fields of chemistry, materials, and mechanical engineering to delve into the complex challenges and technological breakthroughs encountered in the development and iteration of ultrasonic sensing devices. We also look forward to high-quality research papers on ultrasonic signal acquisition, signal processing, and cutting-edge applications, to showcase the latest research achievements in this field.

Submissions are encouraged which address topics that include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Signal processing and data fusion in sensor systems;
  • Advanced materials for sensing;
  • Sensor technology and applications in agriculture, industry, and the environment;
  • Physical sensors;
  • Smart/intelligent sensors;
  • MEMS/NEMS;
  • Sensor networks;
  • Sensing principles;
  • Micro- and nano sensors.

Prof. Dr. Ming Zhu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ultrasonic sensor technology
  • ultrasound signal processing
  • materials science
  • artificial intelligence

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 7866 KB  
Article
A New Type of Ultrasonic Gyroscopic Sensor Based on a Solid-State Standing-Wave Vibrator: Towards Shock-Resistant Design
by Michail Shevelko, Andrey Baranov, Ekaterina Popkova, Yasemin Staroverova, Alexander Kukaev and Sergey Shevchenko
Sensors 2026, 26(9), 2798; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26092798 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 363
Abstract
This paper presents a new type of ultrasonic gyroscopic sensor based on a solid-state standing-wave vibrator, which is promising for shock-resistant applications. A theoretical model of the proposed design, which is a layered structure, and the numerical simulation of its frequency response using [...] Read more.
This paper presents a new type of ultrasonic gyroscopic sensor based on a solid-state standing-wave vibrator, which is promising for shock-resistant applications. A theoretical model of the proposed design, which is a layered structure, and the numerical simulation of its frequency response using the developed software are presented. A test sample of the novel sensing element was made and experimental studies of its frequency response were conducted. The results showed a high correlation between the resonant frequencies both for the real sample research and numerical modeling; thus, the validity of the theoretical model was confirmed. The laboratory investigation of the developed sensing element on a test bench under rotating conditions was carried out and a shift in the standing-wave amplitude proportional to the angular velocity of rotation was revealed; thus, an informative signal for this type of gyroscopic sensor was found. It is shown that the amplitude of the output signal of the new sensor on standing waves compares favorably with the signal levels reported for similar traveling-wave solutions in previous studies. The optimization strategies for the new sensor’s design and operating mode to increase signal to noise ratio are also identified. Thus, the potential of using the developed solid-state standing-wave vibrator as a shock-resistant ultrasonic gyroscopic sensor is supported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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21 pages, 4246 KB  
Article
Intelligent Localization of Cross-Sectional Structural Damage in Molten Salt Receiver Tubes Using Mel Spectrograms and TSA-Optimized 2D-CNN
by Peiran Leng, Man Liang, Weihong Sun, Tiefeng Shao, Luowei Cao and Sunting Yan
Sensors 2026, 26(9), 2780; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26092780 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 641
Abstract
In this paper, an intelligent localization framework based on deep learning is proposed to address the limitations of insufficient accuracy and robustness in defect identification and localization during the ultrasonic guided-wave non-destructive testing (NDT) of receiver tubes in tower-type molten salt Concentrated Solar [...] Read more.
In this paper, an intelligent localization framework based on deep learning is proposed to address the limitations of insufficient accuracy and robustness in defect identification and localization during the ultrasonic guided-wave non-destructive testing (NDT) of receiver tubes in tower-type molten salt Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) stations. In the proposed method, a 1D convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) initially processes raw time-series-guided wave signals, achieving coarse identification and preliminary localization of defective segments. Then, Mel spectrograms are employed to exploit multi-dimensional features in the time–frequency domain and transform 1D signals into 2D representations, thereby enriching feature diversity. A regression-based 2D-CNN was designed to predict the start and end points of defect segments, enabling precise interval localization. Furthermore, the Tree Seed Algorithm (TSA) was integrated to jointly optimize key hyperparameters, enhancing training efficiency and prediction accuracy. Experimental validation on a dataset of ultrasonic guided-wave signals from molten salt receiver tubes demonstrates that the TSA-optimized Mel+2D-CNN model achieves superior performance, with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 75.11 sampling points and a Coefficient of Determination (R2) of 0.90. At an Intersection over Union (IoU) threshold of 0.3, the model achieves a hit rate of 89.21%, exhibiting significantly higher localization accuracy and stability compared to the 1D-CNN baseline model. These findings indicate that the proposed method effectively enhances the accuracy and robustness of guided wave-based defect localization in slender structures. While promising, the model’s generalization capability remains dependent on the data distribution and operating conditions; future work will focus on validating its engineering applicability across diverse, multi-scenario industrial environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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20 pages, 6704 KB  
Article
Ultrasonic Testing of Laser Welds in Medium-Thick Titanium Alloy Plates
by Chenju Zhou, Jie Li, Shunmin Yang, Chenjun Hu, Kaiqiang Feng and Yi Bo
Sensors 2026, 26(7), 2085; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26072085 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 617
Abstract
To address the challenge of detecting internal defects in medium-thick titanium alloy laser welds, a combined simulation and experimental study on ultrasonic testing was conducted. A finite element model employing a 5 MHz shear wave angle transducer for inspecting titanium alloy welds was [...] Read more.
To address the challenge of detecting internal defects in medium-thick titanium alloy laser welds, a combined simulation and experimental study on ultrasonic testing was conducted. A finite element model employing a 5 MHz shear wave angle transducer for inspecting titanium alloy welds was established. An ultrasonic testing system was developed, incorporating a DPR300 pulser-receiver (JSR Ultrasonics, Pittsford, NY, USA) and an MSO5204 oscilloscope (RIGOL, Suzhou, China), and was calibrated using standard reference blocks. The inspection results for four prefabricated internal defects at various depths demonstrated that all defects were effectively detected, with the minimum detectable equivalent defect size reaching 1 mm. The measured signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) averaged 17.6 dB, validating the high sensitivity of the proposed system. The mean absolute error for defect localization was 0.438 mm, achieving a positioning accuracy better than 0.5 mm. This study indicates that the pro-posed method enables effective detection and accurate localization of internal defects in titanium alloy laser welds, providing critical technical support for laser welding quality assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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19 pages, 7695 KB  
Article
High-Precision Ultrasonic Anemometry System Based on Polyvinylidene Fluoride Piezoelectric Film and Variational Mode Decomposition-Extended Kalman Filter Joint Optimization
by Haodong Niu, Yunbo Shi, Kuo Zhao, Jinzhou Liu, Qinglong Chen and Xiaohui Yang
Sensors 2026, 26(5), 1482; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26051482 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 415
Abstract
Ultrasonic wind speed measurements performed in complex flow fields face challenges related to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and non-stationary waveform distortion. In this study, we aim to address this issue by proposing a measurement system that employs a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film [...] Read more.
Ultrasonic wind speed measurements performed in complex flow fields face challenges related to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and non-stationary waveform distortion. In this study, we aim to address this issue by proposing a measurement system that employs a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric film ultrasonic transducer integrated with a microphone (MIC). In addition, a signal processing framework is proposed based on the joint optimization of variational mode decomposition (VMD) and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) and integrating cross-correlation interpolation. By leveraging the low Q-factor and wide bandwidth characteristics of the PVDF, the system achieved omnidirectional transmission and high-fidelity reception within a compact structural design. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed VMD-reference signal-assisted EKF method enhanced the SNR by approximately 26% and reduced the wind speed measurement error by approximately 35% compared with the conventional EKF. The proposed system exhibited superior robustness and measurement linearity across a wide wind speed range of 0–60 m/s. The proposed scheme significantly enhances the accuracy and environmental adaptability of ultrasonic wind speed measurements and provides an essential theoretical basis and engineering reference for the development of precision instruments in fields such as meteorological monitoring and wind energy assessment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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21 pages, 4327 KB  
Article
Engineering-Oriented Ultrasonic Decoding: An End-to-End Deep Learning Framework for Metal Grain Size Distribution Characterization
by Le Dai, Shiyuan Zhou, Yuhan Cheng, Lin Wang, Yuxuan Zhang and Heng Zhi
Sensors 2026, 26(3), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26030958 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 482
Abstract
Grain size is critical for metallic material performance, yet conventional ultrasonic methods rely on strong model assumptions and exhibit limited adaptability. We propose a deep learning architecture that uses multimodal ultrasonic features with spatial coding to predict the grain size distribution of GH4099. [...] Read more.
Grain size is critical for metallic material performance, yet conventional ultrasonic methods rely on strong model assumptions and exhibit limited adaptability. We propose a deep learning architecture that uses multimodal ultrasonic features with spatial coding to predict the grain size distribution of GH4099. A-scan signals from C-scan measurements are converted to time–frequency representations and fed to an encoder–decoder model that combines a dual convolutional compression network with a fully connected decoder. A thickness-encoding branch enables feature decoupling under physical constraints, and an elliptic spatial fusion strategy refines predictions. Experiments show mean and standard deviation MAEs of 1.08 and 0.84 μm, respectively, with a KL divergence of 0.0031, outperforming attenuation- and velocity-based methods. Input-specificity experiments further indicate that transfer learning calibration quickly restores performance under new conditions. These results demonstrate a practical path for integrating deep learning with ultrasonic inspection for accurate, adaptable grain-size characterization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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24 pages, 3916 KB  
Article
Dual-Modality Ultrasound Imaging of SPIONs Distribution via Combined Magnetomotive and Passive Cavitation Imaging
by Christian Marinus Huber, Lars Hageroth, Nicole Dorsch, Johannes Ringel, Helmut Ermert, Martin Vossiek, Stefan J. Rupitsch, Ingrid Ullmann and Stefan Lyer
Sensors 2025, 25(23), 7171; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25237171 - 24 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2854
Abstract
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have shown promise across a wide range of biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, and regenerative medicine. In the context of local tumor therapy (Magnetic Drug Targeting, MDT) SPIONs can be functionalized with [...] Read more.
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have shown promise across a wide range of biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, and regenerative medicine. In the context of local tumor therapy (Magnetic Drug Targeting, MDT) SPIONs can be functionalized with chemotherapeutic agents and accumulated at tumor sites using an externally applied magnetic field. To achieve effective drug accumulation and therapeutic efficacy, precise positioning of the accumulation magnet relative to the tumor is essential. To address this need, we propose a dual-modality ultrasound imaging approach combining magnetomotive ultrasound (MMUS) and passive cavitation mapping (PCM). MMUS detects magnetically induced displacements to localize SPIONs embedded in elastic tissue, while PCM monitors cavitation emissions from circulating SPIONs under focused ultrasound exposure. In addition to detection, PCM has the potential to enable feedback-based control of cavitation exposure, allowing cavitation parameters to be kept within a safe regime. The dual imaging modality approach was validated using standard phantoms and a complex carotid bifurcation tumor flow phantom fabricated via 3D printing. Experimental results demonstrate the first coordinated spatiotemporal imaging of MMUS and PCM within the same anatomical model, resolving the key bottleneck of SPIONs monitoring in blood vessels/tissue. This demonstrates the strong potential of complementary MMUS and PCM imaging for monitoring in preclinical and clinical MDT settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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20 pages, 4864 KB  
Article
A Multi-Objective Optimization Method for Cylindrical Surface Ultrasonic Array Parameters Based on BPNN and NSGA-II
by Xin Zeng, Xueshen Cao, Jiaheng Zhao, Yuyu Dai, Chao Li and Hao Chen
Sensors 2025, 25(21), 6762; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25216762 - 5 Nov 2025
Viewed by 832
Abstract
Key detection performance metrics, particularly resolution, are largely determined by the design parameters of ultrasonic arrays. The structural design of the transducer strongly influences critical indicators, including side lobe levels, beam directivity, and focal spot size. To improve parameter selection, this study proposes [...] Read more.
Key detection performance metrics, particularly resolution, are largely determined by the design parameters of ultrasonic arrays. The structural design of the transducer strongly influences critical indicators, including side lobe levels, beam directivity, and focal spot size. To improve parameter selection, this study proposes a multi-objective optimization strategy specifically tailored for cylindrical surface ultrasonic transducers. The geometric parameters of the array and the variables influencing resolution performance are mapped in a nonlinear manner. The NSGA-II algorithm is employed to perform extremum seeking optimization on a trained BPNN, generating a Pareto-optimal solution set by specifying main-lobe width, side-lobe intensity, and sound-pressure uniformity as optimization objectives. For validation, the geometric configurations derived from this solution set are applied in acoustic field simulations. Simulation results demonstrate that the dynamic aperture exhibits clear regularity when the array settings meet millimeter-level resolution requirements. These findings support real-world engineering applications and provide valuable insights for enhancing the geometric design of cylindrical ultrasonic arrays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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22 pages, 2841 KB  
Article
A Dual-Transducer Approach for High-Resolution and High-Precision Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging
by Jingfei Liu and Stanislav Y. Emelianov
Sensors 2025, 25(17), 5532; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25175532 - 5 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1931
Abstract
Shear wave elasticity imaging, an ultrasound-based method for imaging tissue elasticity, has been widely accepted in both preclinical studies and clinical practices for diagnosing various diseases. Currently, shear wave elasticity imaging is primarily implemented using a single-transducer approach, in which the same ultrasound [...] Read more.
Shear wave elasticity imaging, an ultrasound-based method for imaging tissue elasticity, has been widely accepted in both preclinical studies and clinical practices for diagnosing various diseases. Currently, shear wave elasticity imaging is primarily implemented using a single-transducer approach, in which the same ultrasound transducer is used for both generating and recording shear waves in target tissue. This technical implementation well served the need for imaging bulk tissues in various cases. However, the limited bandwidth of the ultrasound transducer is a great obstacle to extending the application of shear wave elasticity imaging to cases where higher spatial resolution and/or stronger tissue stimulation are needed. To address this challenge, we proposed a dual-transducer approach in which two ultrasound transducers perform shear wave generation and tracking, each optimized for its respective task. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated and verified in a phantom study. In this pioneering work, the strength of the dual-transducer approach is shown by its performance in shear wave tracking at various frequencies. This performance is evaluated by four measures: signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, and precision in quantitative measurement. The experimental results demonstrate the superior elasticity imaging capabilities of the dual-transducer approach compared to the conventional single-transducer approach, offering a reliable strategy for further development of this imaging method for specific applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ultrasonic Sensors and Ultrasonic Signal Processing)
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