Method and Apparatus for Electrodeposition in Metal Acoustic Resonators

Abstract

Methods and systems for electrodeposition of Indium, Gallium, or other metals within a metal acoustic resonator chamber are provided, including for electrodeposition of Indium or Gallium as a strike layer on an interior surface of a cavitation chamber. The resultant strike layer affords an accommodating wetting surface for subsequent filling with a liquid metal and performing cavitation therein. In some embodiments, this allows for the use of liquid metal in an acoustic resonator without the damping effects inherent with oxide boundaries or other defects.

1 . A method for treating an acoustic resonator, comprising:
 providing a metallic acoustic resonator body having at least an interior surface thereof;   cleaning said interior surface of contaminants;   placing a chemically-suitable electroplating bath in contact with said interior surface;   providing an electrical current to an electrode within said bath so as to cause an electrodeposition of a substance onto said interior surface of said acoustic resonator; and   stopping said electrodeposition when sufficient deposition to allow proper wetting of said interior surface by a liquid metal in said acoustic resonator has been achieved.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cleaning said interior surface with a solvent before electrodeposition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , said cleaning comprising cleaning with a solvent comprising an acid solution. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising rinsing off said acid solution before electrodeposition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising rinsing said electroplating bath after electrodeposition is complete. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , said interior surface comprising an interior surface of a portion of a whole acoustic resonator, and further comprising repetition of the cleaning and electrodeposition on other portions of said acoustic resonator, and further assembling the portions of the acoustic resonator to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , placing said chemically-suitable electroplating bath comprising placing a bath containing a sulfamate solution in contact with said interior surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , providing said electrical current to said electrode comprising providing an electrical current to an anode disposed within said electroplating bath. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , providing said electrical current to said anode comprising providing said electrical current to an anode comprising Indium disposed within said electroplating bath. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , providing said electrical current to said anode comprising providing said electrical current to an anode comprising Gallium disposed within said electroplating bath. 
     
     
         11 . A method for achieving cavitation in a liquid metal medium, comprising:
 cleaning an interior surface of a substantially enclosed acoustic resonator with a solvent;   at least partially filling said resonator with a chemically-suitable electroplating solution;   applying a current to an electrode disposed within said acoustic resonator until a desired amount of electrodeposition has occurred onto said interior surface of said acoustic resonator;   rinsing said acoustic resonator to substantially clear out said electroplating solution;   substantially filling said acoustic resonator with a liquid metal substance that wets against said interior surface of said acoustic resonator; and   providing acoustic driving force to said acoustic resonator so as to cause cavitation within said liquid metal substance.