TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Noninvasive Acoustic Pressure Measurement

Summary

The Noninvasive Acoustic Pressure Measurement technology from Los Alamos National Laboratory allows users to determine the pressure inside a sealed container or pipe without opening it, puncturing it, or installing a permanent gauge. The system briefly attaches small devices to the outside of the container, gently vibrates it, and measures how it responds. Because a container's vibration behavior changes depending on the pressure inside, software can translate those measurements into an accurate pressure reading in just a few minutes. The equipment is portable, relatively low cost and designed for quick spot-check use. This provides a safe and practical solution for industries that need to assess pressure in sealed systems such as gas cylinders, industrial piping, hazardous material storage or waste containers especially when gauges are missing, unreliable or impractical to install.

The Challenge

Many industries rely on sealed containers and piping systems where knowing the internal pressure is critical for safety, performance and compliance, yet existing methods typically require built-in gauges, system penetration or prior calibration options that are not feasible when gauges fail, are absent or when the contents are hazardous or unknown. Noninvasive Acoustic Pressure Measurement addresses that gap by using externally applied vibration sensors to stimulate and measure the natural resonance behavior of a vessel, which shifts in measurable ways with changes in internal pressure.

Problems Solved

By analyzing a container's natural vibration patterns using advanced data processing and machine learning trained on comparable systems, Noninvasive Acoustic Pressure Measurement enables accurate estimation of internal pressure entirely from outside a sealed structure. It eliminates the need to open, puncture or permanently instrument vessels, addressing long-standing challenges in situations where pressure gauges are missing, damaged, unreliable or impractical to install. As a result, it provides a safe, noninvasive way to assess sealed systems that were previously difficult, risky or impossible to evaluate improving safety, reducing operational disruption and expanding inspection capabilities across a wide range of applications.

Key Advantages

- Fully noninvasive no puncturing or opening required - No need for built-in gauges or baseline calibration - Rapid measurements (minutes per assessment) - Portable, field-deployable system - High accuracy across a broad pressure range - Improves safety when handling hazardous or unknown contents

Market Applications

- Aerospace & Defense - Chemical & Materials Processing - Energy & Utilities - Environmental & Waste Management - Food & Consumer Products - Industrial & Manufacturing

Development Status

TRL 4 US Patent pending LA-UR-26-21397

LANL Tech Partnerships

Unlock the Innovative Potential Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products. LANL's licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov. Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology. https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology m.lanl.gov/tech-search