Ultrasonic transparency of sonication tubes exposed to various frequencies: A metrological evaluation of modifications and uncertainty of acoustic pressures

Correlations between biological phenomena and ultrasonic exposure often involve mechanical and thermal effects. Cavitation proved capable of interacting with other factors, making awkward the evaluation of their individual effects. In microbiological research, the presence of a dual effect of ultrasound on microorganisms, namely bactericidal and stimulating, required development of methods enabling analysis of ultrasonic field effects, shielded from those of cavitation. This work shows how acoustic wave action may be analyzed with a metrological approach, excluding cavitational effect and measuring acoustic pressure acting upon a sonication tube. Results show how such a goal was achieved in a repeatable and reproducible way, avoiding acoustic wave degeneration. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.