We can hear with ultrasound

 

We can hear with ultrasound

Dr. Santer zur Horst-Meyer and his partner Hans-Joachim Münch could not have dreamed of this success shortly after German reunification. The two physicists studied in the 1970s at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, which traditionally dealt with ultrasound in one focal point of research. Specialists at the Institute of Biophysics in Halle also sought solutions in the field of materials testing or medical technology. “We felt fit for the path to independence in 1990,” remembers Dr. Santer zur Horst-Meyer. Due to their many years of research work they “were acquainted with ultrasound” and wanted to apply this knowledge. The managing director reports with a grin about the start as an engineering office. The present-day firm SONOTEC started in a basement room. This entailed the courage to take risks, says Hans-Joachim Münch. From the very beginning there was a desire to develop and produce products. Initial prototypes and projects were realised. Ample bank loans were inconceivable and so the physicists relied on the federal government’s technology-oriented promotional programmes. The concept bore fruit. The first employees were hired after a short time. By the mid-1990s, now already functioning as a limited liability company (GmbH), the firm had 20 employees. Today there are 85. “A total of 18 women and men work in development alone,” says Horst-Meyer. He attributes one reason for the success of SONOTEC to this factor. The average annual growth of five per cent has proven successful. Solidity counts more than snap decisions. Customer-specific applications make up over two-thirds of the entire production. Clients are accompanied from the first product idea up to start of production.This clear orientation also includes close contact with universities and institutes of higher education. The scientific background plays an important role. Future graduates have the possibility to prepare final papers with great reference to practical experience. At the same time the company secures potential specialists in this way, trying to get them interested in employment with the firm already during their course of studies.The permanent lack of specialists also affects Halle. Early countermeasures are important in this context. Six apprentices are also being trained. They are usually taken on as a rule.Network Ultrasound (NetUs) connects 19 partners from the Central German region. It intends to bundle competencies and know-how from small and medium-sized enterprises. This includes coordination with regard to research and development topics as well as the implementation of top research results from the region’s universities as well as in the field of piezoelectric materials, sound field simulation, sensor technology and the required measurement data processing. SONOTEC has geared itself towards a series of applications. Solutions are developed and built for non-destructive materials testing. Mobile SONAPHONE testing instruments can even detect the smallest leaks and leakages in compressed air or gas pipelines as well as in vacuum systems. No matter whether it is compressed air, argon or nitrogen, all three are included among the very expensive forms of energy or products. Even the smallest losses add up in a short time and can be detected by means of precise analysis. Wall thickness measurement is among the most frequent ultrasonic applications in non-destructive materials testing. Erosion and corrosion damage to ships, storage tanks, pipelines and cranes can be determined in this way.Pipelines are regarded as the most modern and safest transport system for petroleum, liquefied petroleum gases and water. Systems must be regularly maintained and serviced to ensure smooth transport. Among other things, ultrasonic sensors are utilised in the detection of cleaning or testing ‘pigs’ as well as for product differentiation.In the medical technology sector, SONOTEC instruments have proved to be successful in dialysis. For instance, they detect even the finest air bubbles which can be dangerous during human blood transfusion. Author/photo: Klaus-Peter Voigt Contact:SONOTEC Ultraschallsensorik Halle GmbHNauendorfer Straße 2D-06112 Halle (Saale)Germanyph: +49 (0)345 133 17-0Fax: +49 (0)345 133 17-99E-Mail:sonotec@sonotec.deWeb: www.sonotec.de