What is an Ultrasonic Sonicator?

A sonicator is a powerful laboratory device with an ultrasonic generator that produces a signal to power the transducer. The transducer converts electrical signals using piezoelectric crystals, crystals that respond directly to electricity by producing mechanical vibrations. Sonication is the act of applying sonic energy through an ultrasonic bath or ultrasonic probe to agitate particles in a sample. Ultrasonic machines are used in academic, clinical and forensic laboratories that need to break down cells, bacteria, spores or tissues. Sonication has many chemical and physical effects. The chemical effects of ultrasound are related to understanding the effects of sound waves on chemical systems, which is called sonochemistry. The chemical effects of ultrasound do not come from direct interactions with molecular species. Studies have shown that direct coupling of sound fields to chemicals at the molecular level cannot explain sonochemistry or sonoluminescence. In contrast, in sonochemistry, sound waves migrate through the medium, causing pressure changes and cavitation, which converts sound waves into mechanical energy.