Acoustic wave scattering and internal fields analysis of viscoelastic materials

Abstract

Acoustic scattering tries to understand the nature of propagation of incident and scattered waves, for different geometries and structures of scattering materials. Although the research field shows high conceptual and analytic maturity, there is still interest on the description of the scattering center internal fields. Such description takes into account theoretical models that describe the dynamics of the scattering center, as well as the surrounding media. In particular, viscoelastic particles (that combine elastic and viscous properties when under the effect of external pressures) are viable for modeling biological cells and polymers in general. This research project has as a main goal to understand the scattering of acoustic waves by viscoelastic materials, investigating the behavior of the mechanical fields internal to the scattering particles to different shapes of incident waves. By the end of the project, the candidate will have accumulated great knowledge and skills to develop and evaluate the performance of technological innovations for acoustic materials. (AU)