Ultrasonic spectroscopy

To characterize biological samples, Fraunhofer IKTS has developed an ultrasonic wide-band spectroscopic device. The device is used in the Bio-Nanotechnology Application Laboratory Leipzig (BNAL); it is continuously undergoing further development in close cooperation with bioscientists and engineers. It is used in collaboration with the researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) – primarily to carry out research on cells in aqueous solutions or tissue samples.

The measuring device has two measuring stations in total. The biological samples can be examined in suitable cell culture vessels (test tubes or cuvettes) in a water bath. The temperature of the water bath can be regulated via a thermostat. One of the measuring stations is designed in such a way that the samples in cell culture Petri dishes have direct contact with the ultrasonic probes.

On both measuring stations, the measurements are done in transmission mode. In contrast to conventional systems, the device does not excite discrete frequencies sequentially, but instead uses a short wide-band signal. This excited wave travels through the sample once.