Sonication Basic Principle

In a solid, both longitudinal and transverse waves can be transmitted, whereas in gas and liquids, only longitudinal waves can be transmitted. In liquids, longitudinal vibrations of molecules generate compression and refractions, i.e., areas of high pressure and low local pressure. The latter gives rise to cavities or bubbles. 

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A similar approach was recently initiated for the monitoring of mass transfer through sonication. The basic principle of the method is derived from Nemst equation. Under diffusion controlled conditions, the intensity of the limiting current is related to the mass transfer coefficient of the active species at the electrode by the relation,... 

Racker and his associates [140-143] have disrupted mitochondria by various means, including sonication, mechanical disruption in a shaker, and trypsin and urea treatment. By combining one or more of these procedures, the investigators solubilized a number of factors referred to as F, F2, F3, F4, etc., which restore phosphorylation to the particulate submitochondrial residues. Many of these factors have been partially purified. For a complete review of these elaborate studies, refer to Racker s original paper only one simple illustration of the basic principle guiding these studies is presented here. 

These principles lead to the conclusion that each test substance requires an individual formulation. Sometimes different ingredients will be required for different concentrations to obtain the maximum rate of release. No universal vehicle is available for any route, but a number of approaches are. Any dosage preparation lab should be equipped with glassware, a stirring hot plate, a sonicator, a good homogenizer, and a stock of the basic formulating material, as detailed at the end of this chapter. 

The theory of sonic-electronic level measurement is fundamentally based on a sound wave emission source from a transmitter, and a reflection of the sonic wave pulse to a receiver. Measurement of the transit time of this sound pulse and its correlation with electrical impulses provide a means for liquid level detection. Two basic designs operating on this principle use the vapor phase and the liquid phase methods. As most of the attention is currently devoted to the latter type system, this discussion deals exclusively with ultrasonic gaging over a liquid path. 

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