Ultrasonic Techniques for Liquids Characterisation

Edited by:   Megan Povey (University of Leeds)
Imprint:   Institute of Physics Publishing
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 254mm,  Width: 178mm,  Spine: 6mm
Weight:   387g
ISBN:   9780750332019
ISBN 10:   0750332018
Series:   IOP ebooks
Pages:   300
Publication Date:   10 December 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Megan J Povey is the joint inventor with Professor Ken Lewtas (Warwick Polymer Science and Lewtas Science and Technologies) of the patented, continuous (non-pulsed), low power (non-cavitational) acoustic nucleation control technology. Megan has a track record, extending over four decades, of developing ultrasound applications for industry and of developing acoustic/ultrasound equipment. The work resulted in publication of two books – “Ultrasonic Techniques for Fluids Characterisation” (1997), cited 468 times, and “Ultrasound in Food Processing”, as co-editor alongside Professor Timothy Mason (1998). She has several patents in ultrasound materials characterisation and materials processing and has commercialised two ultrasound instruments with a third in development. Impactful collaboration with industry is an enduring and outstanding feature of her work (e.g. grant TSB TS/K003836/1 “High efficiency crystallizer for chocolate tempering” 2012- 2015). Megan’s laboratory is possibly the best equipped in the world for ultrasound spectrometry, generating leading-edge publications in acoustic control of crystal nucleation, crystal growth and ultrasound materials measurement. More information here: https://physicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/staff/140/professor-megan-povey. Valerie J Pinfield is Professor of Ultrasonics and Complex Materials at Loughborough University and Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Doctoral College. She is an engineer with a mathematical physics background and has experience in industry (The Welding Institute and Cadbury Ltd) as well as academia. Her academic research has primarily focussed on ultrasonic characterisation of materials from aerospace composites with porosity, to liquid-based and soft-matter particulate formulations found in pharma and foods, particularly the mathematical modelling of such systems. Valerie was a Co-organiser of a six-month programme at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences on the Theory and Applications of Multiple Wave Scattering (Jan-Jun 2023) which brought together researchers from all over the world working on wave scattering in optics, electromagnetics, acoustics, water waves and more; a follow-on workshop at the Institute is planned for summer 2026. Valerie is also working on simulation and machine learning techniques for electrochemical applications for clean energy and hydrogen towards a more sustainable future beyond fossil fuel-derived energy and feedstocks. More information here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/chemical/staff/valerie-pinfield/ Daniel I Hefft is a British-German engineer, distinguished as a Chartered Member of the Institute of Physics and a Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. He holds a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering from the University of Birmingham, where his academic pursuits have centred on the study of acoustic emission sensing within fluid systems and the investigation of tribological phenomena. Currently serving as the R&D Process Engineering Manager at Medik8, Dr Hefft continues to advance applied research at the intersection of physics, engineering, and material science. His ongoing work on acoustic emission has earned him an Honorary Research Fellowship at the University of Birmingham, recognising his sustained contributions to the field. A published author and patent holder, Dr Hefft’s professional portfolio reflects both scientific innovation and practical impact across disciplines. He is an active member of the European Working Group on Acoustic Emission (EWGAE) and serves on the committee of the Institute of Physics’ Physical Acoustics Special Interest Group. Alexander L Bowler is a Research Fellow in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Food in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds. Nik Watson is a Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Food in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds.