Ultrasound device can see through concrete

If British scientists have their way, ultrasound, the same technology used by doctors to monitor fetuses, may soon be used to uncover construction defects — and maybe even find Jimmy Hoffa. Using technology developed by Cambridge Ultrasonics, technicians from UK firm Sonatest are able to hook up transducers to concrete structures and generate 3D images of their interiors. The data can be analyzed to find corrosion and other signs of structural damage. The equipment has also attracted the interest of police, who see the potential for tracking down bodies that might be embedded in the concrete. "If you scanned the area, you could find the void, but whether it would look like a big hole or would be person-shaped is anyone's guess," Wayne Woodhead, Sonatest managing director, told BBC News. Law enforcement officials, however, remain interested. Let's get one of these over to the Meadowlands and see what we find.

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Didn't Myth Busters already do this with ground penetrating RADAR?

[Pacey @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Not really, what they did on Mythbusters is completly different.

As I understand this, they can hook up sensors to a building and get a visual representation of the building on their computer. Along with getting a pretty cool looking "blueprint", it would also show cracks or structural damage or the non-concrete "image" of a person burried in the walls.

This would be great for determinig any structural damage after say an earthquate, or as the police hope, find people who they suspect became part of the new building downtown's foundation.

Mythbusters just went to town on whichever stadium's field (i dont remember which) the rumor said Jimmy Hoffa was burried under.

[Cem @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Cool, they should use this in computergames (Halo 3 anyone?)! :)

[Todd @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Ground Penetrating Radar has been doing much of the same for several years using electromagnetic waves to create 3D images within concrete or subsurface. Our firm has also used GPR to estimate concrete deterioration at speeds in excess of 40 MPH. Check out our website for more details.

[Todd @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

Ground Penetrating Radar has been doing much of the same for several years using electromagnetic waves to create 3D images within concrete or subsurface. Our firm has also used GPR to estimate concrete deterioration at speeds in excess of 40 MPH. Check out our website for more details.

[mcspacebar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:37AM]

I have it on good authority(from teamsters no less...) that Mr. Hoffa's body was tossed into some molten metal at a smelting plant in jersey. there is no body to be found...