A method for the generation of standing sound waves, acoustic irradiation method with a standing sound wave, and which can be used in a standing sound wave sonicator

摘要

The present invention provides a sonicator (5) comprising an electrical wave generator (10), a vibrating element (70) electrically connected to the electrical wave generator and a vibratable member (160) transversely secured to the vibrating element. The sonicator can be employed to sonicate a test sample (60), and the steps of such a method include (a) converting an electrical energy wave into a vibrational energy wave; (b) contacting a vibratable member with the vibrational energy wave to generate a standing sonic wave (150); and (c) contacting a test sample with the standing sonic wave to thereby sonicate any particulate or polymeric material in the test sample. Also provided is a method of generating a standing sonic wave (150, 170) across a vibratable member by propagating vibrational energy along a shaft to a vibratable member to thereby generate a standing sonic wave across the vibratable member.