A versatile imaging system for multi-parametric real-time analysis of material properties

在过去的十年中，实时成像模式在计算分析的支持下，已经彻底改变了材料缺陷的表征。特别是，超声成像，一种便携式，非电离和负担得起的方式，使材料特性的实时可视化，以准确表征组织和检测制造过程中的缺陷。现代超声成像技术已被证明是非常有效的表征材料性质在粗尺度。同时，现有的超声技术无法识别材料子结构的细微变化，而这对于高分辨率成像复杂结构以识别缺陷至关重要。***通过此RTI应用程序，我们汇集了一组来自工程，制造和临床科学的研究人员，可以使用超声数据实时分析材料特性。所要求的仪器包含一个来自BK超声的独特的多参数超声机，包括最新一代波束形成和成像算法的集成，以及一个开放访问灵活的后端架构，提供成像参数和流超声数据。所需的基础设施将缩小研究与商业化之间的差距，加速我们研究的影响。具体地说，我们将利用自适应波束形成以前所未有的分辨率从超声波中呈现实时结构信息。我们还将开发解决方案，以检测远低于超声成像波长的细微制造缺陷，这是申请人在超声成像领域的一项发明。研究还将包括机器学习与实时成像的集成，以开发下一代计算超声技术。所要求的系统的可用性将开辟许多新的研究路线，并点燃整个超声研究计划的变革。申请团队在该领域拥有大量的资金组合，所提议的硬件将利用现有的研究资金，加速进展并提高我们将工程成果转化为实际应用的生产力。所要求的超声系统是独一无二的，给予BK超声的专有安排，并将使研究团队能够探索各自领域的前沿。该系统将作为许多学科之间的协作点。拟议的设备将在20多名HQP的跨学科培训中发挥关键作用。HQP将深入了解在工业界和学术界备受追捧的超声技术以及图像和信号处理和机器学习方面的技能

Real-time imaging modalities, supported by computational analysis, have revolutionized characterization of defects in materials during the past decade. In particular, ultrasound imaging, a portable, non-ionizing and affordable modality has enabled real-time visualization of material properties for the purposes of accurate characterization of tissue and detection of defects in manufacturing processes. Contemporary ultrasound imaging technology has been shown to be very effective to characterize material properties at a coarse scale. At the same time, existing ultrasound technology is unable to identify subtle changes in material substructure, which is essential to imaging complex structures with high resolution to identify defects.***Through this RTI application, we bring together a group of investigators from engineering, manufacturing and clinical sciences to enable real-time analysis of material properties using ultrasound data. The requested instrument contains a unique multi-parametric ultrasound machine from BK Ultrasound that includes the integration of the latest generation of beam forming and imaging algorithms with an open access flexible back-end architecture providing imaging parameters and streamed ultrasound data. The requested infrastructure will narrow the gap between research and commercialization, accelerating the impact of our research. Specifically, we will render real-time structural information from ultrasound at an unprecedented resolution using adaptive beamforming. We will also develop solutions to detect subtle manufacturing defects well below the ultrasound imaging wavelength enabled by an invention of the applicants in ultrasound imaging. Research will also include integration of machine learning with real-time imaging to develop next generation computational ultrasound technology. The availability of the requested system will open many new lines of investigation and ignite transformative changes across the entire spectrum of ultrasound research program. The applicant team has a large funding portfolio in this area and the proposed hardware will leverage existing research funding, accelerate progress and increase our productivity in translation of engineering results to practical use. The requested ultrasound system is unique, given a proprietary arrangement with BK Ultrasound, and will enable the research team to explore the frontiers in their respective areas. The system will act as a point of collaboration between many disciplines. The proposed equipment will play a critical role in interdisciplinary training of more than 20 HQP. HQP will gain an in depth understanding of ultrasound technologies and skills in image and signal processing and machine learning, which are highly sought after in industry and academia.**