Physical cross-sectioning is commonly used on parts to reveal and study their internal features and defects. An alternative technology, acoustic cross-sectioning, produces equivalent results and images for small parts without damaging them. This article describes a new system for acoustic cross-sectioning and presents a case study of its use in integrated circuit analysis.

By limiting recombination, passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) solar cells can provide an absolute efficiency boost of 1%, making their relative efficiency about 7% greater than that of other screen printing methods. This article covers the early stages of the nondestructive and destructive imaging performed to evaluate and enhance the efficiency of PERC solar cells. Electroluminescence images, acoustic images, and scanning electron micrographs were used in this research.

Ultrasound is widely used for nondestructive evaluation, structural health monitoring, acoustic emission, sound navigation ranging, and in sensors for automobiles, medicine, and many other applications. Next-generation, small-form-factor sensors have been achieved through advances in piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) that can be positioned on either a flexible polymer or a silicon substrate to form an array. This article describes a materials and design optimization study that used finite element analyses to improve designs for robust and practical PMUT sensor arrays.

A new acoustic imaging technique provides a precise, nondestructive view of structural features in the interface region between an aluminum substrate and an open-cell metal foam. It also provides insight into the dynamics of the bonding process and the formation of voids.

Compared to traditional power plant materials, creep strength enhanced ferritic steels require new approaches to nondestructive examination and weld repair. The metallurgical complexity of these steels prompted EPRI to conduct research to define and/or improve the detection limits of ultrasonic testing techniques, explore novel electromagnetic techniques, evaluate the sensitivity and applicability of acoustic emission testing, and conduct studies on improved weld repair procedures.

Using a Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) microscope along with an FTIR spectrophotometer proves beneficial in analyzing the complex layers of some composite polymer films. The study reported in this article demonstrates that analysis of the FTIR spectra can help clarify and explain the formulation of different layers that compose the polymer film.

Wavelength-dependent or hyperspectral imaging is a novel nondestructive characterization technique in the field of neutron radiography and computed tomography. A dedicated facility named VENUS is currently being built at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide these characterization capabilities for academia, industry, and other national laboratories. This feature article describes the VENUS capabilities for materials science and engineering, provides a quick overview of the modes of access of the facility, and illustrates the nondestructive measurements and interpretation of results.

Determining the root cause of avionics failures requires a disciplined and systematic analytical process supported by sophisticated equipment. This article reviews some of the analytical tools and techniques used to understand and prevent avionics failures.

With the opening of Testbed 80, the largest engine testing facility in the world, Rolls-Royce plans to use its unique capabilities to accelerate the journey toward sustainable aviation technologies supported by the intelligent use of materials.