Ultrasonic Devices at the Speed of Sound!
Arduino Microcontroller, Sunfounder Ultrasonic Sensor, and wiringCopyright 2017 Kendra Randolph, Smart Sensors and Sensing Systems RET, College of Engineering, Michigan State University
This lesson focuses on ultrasound wavelengths and how sound frequencies are used by engineers to help with detection of specific distances to or in materials. Students gain an understanding about how ultrasonic waves are reflected and refracted. Students also see how ultrasound technology is used in medical devices. The activity following this lesson allows students to test their knowledge by using the Sunfounder Ultrasonic sensor and Arduino Mega Microcontroller.
Biomedical engineers design devices that allow physicians to use ultrasound imaging to view inside the body. Ultrasound images and videos are captured in real time and can provide details about movement of organs as well as blood flow in a noninvasive way. Ultrasound imaging does not expose individuals to ionizing radiation the way X-ray imaging does.
Electrical, mechanical, and computer engineers often use ultrasonic devices to measure and evaluate materials used in manufacturing and building to identify potential defects without destroying the product. By allowing engineers to essentially look inside a structure, ultrasonic devices also provide means for safely inspecting power plants, nuclear reactors, oil pipelines, and electric wirings and can isolate the area of concern. This is a much safer and efficient approach than older scanning methods.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Identify a way ultrasound is used to help us in everyday life
- Explain why there are different ways to measure with ultrasonic devices
- Explain how an ultrasonic distance sensor measures distance