2027 ICU logo
About

Advancing Ultrasonics Through Global Collaboration.

The International Congress on Ultrasonics (ICU) is the field's flagship global gathering, bringing together researchers, engineers, clinicians, industry leaders, and students from around the world.

For nearly two decades, ICU has served as a catalyst for scientific discovery, technology translation, and international collaboration across medical, industrial, and fundamental ultrasonics.

Why ICU Matters

ICU serves as a unique meeting place where:

  • Scientists share groundbreaking discoveries
  • Engineers develop next-generation technologies
  • Clinicians translate innovation into patient care
  • Industry leaders accelerate commercialization
  • Students connect with mentors and future collaborators

What We Do

  • Unite Globally
    Connecting researchers across medical, industrial, and fundamental acoustics.
  • Showcase Breakthroughs
    Highlighting pioneering discoveries and innovations in ultrasonics.
  • Bridge the Gap
    Transforming academic research into real-world clinical and industrial applications.
  • Empower New Talent
    Providing mentorship, funding opportunities, and presentation platforms for students and early-career researchers.
  • Champion Diversity
    Building an inclusive and welcoming global ultrasound community.

Host Institution

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world's leading private research universities. The Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering at USC has a long-standing tradition of excellence in ultrasonics — from pioneering work on high-frequency transducers to innovations in therapeutic and imaging ultrasound.

By hosting 2027 ICU, USC continues the congress's mission of bringing together the international community and championing the field's brightest minds.

Hosted by
USC Department of Biomedical Engineering
Viterbi School of Engineering · Los Angeles, California
Scientific Program

Five thematic categories. Sixty-one topics.

The 2027 ICU scientific program is organized into five broad categories covering the full breadth of ultrasonics — from fundamental physics to emerging applied frontiers.

A.

Physical Acoustics

Acoustic and Elastic Metamaterials and Phononic Crystals
Acoustic Tweezers and Particle Manipulation
Acoustics of Quantum Media and Nonphysical Applications
Bubbles and Cavitation
Computational Acoustics for Complex Media and Structures
Micromachines Ultrasound Transducer (MUTs) and PMUT Technology and Applications
Non-Destructive and Nonlinear Acoustics
Sonoluminescence
Nonlinear Propagation and Radiation
Resonators and Applications
Surface Acoustic Waves and Guided Waves
Thermo-Acoustics
Topological Acoustics
Ultrasonic Scattering
Ultrasound Signal Processing and Instrumentation
Ultrasonic and Piezoelectric Ceramics (For ISAF)
B.

Biomedical Ultrasound

Biomedical Ultrasound for Therapy and Diagnosis
Cellular and Sub-cellular Acoustics (Acoustics and its Interaction with Cells, Bio-cells, Tissues and Stem Cells)
Full-wave Inversion in Medical Imaging
Functional Ultrasound Imaging: Acquisition and Reconstruction; Quantitative, Flow, Strain, and Contrast Enhanced Techniques
Hard Tissue Characterization and Novel Imaging Method
High-frame-rate Ultrasound Imaging and Applications
High-frequency Ultrasound Imaging Therapy Applications
Intelligent Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Therapy
Medical Photoacoustics
Neuro-sonication Imaging
Targeted and Accelerated Drug Delivery by Ultrasound
Ultrasonic Characterization of Tissue
Ultrasound Contrast Agents
Ultrasound Localization Imaging
Ultrasound Visualization and Virtual Reality
Clinical Applications of Medical Ultrasound
C.

Nondestructive Evaluation

Acoustic Imaging and Beamforming Applications
Acoustic Microscopy
Acoustic Sensors
Application of Nonlinear Acoustics and Ultrasonics to NDE
Characterization of Composite Materials in NDT and SHM
Guided Waves and Their Applications
NDE and SHM for Energy Industry
NDE and NDE Transducers
Piezoelectric and Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Components and Applications
New Ultrasonic NDE Applications
Sensors and Smart Materials
Ultrasonic Material Characterization
Ultrasonic Welding/Bonding
Underwater Acoustics and Applications
D.

Industrial Ultrasound

Energy Harvesting
Industrial Applications of Power Ultrasound
Laser Ultrasonic Applications in Industry and Aerospace
Machine Learning and Statistical Methods in Ultrasonics
Circuit Fiber Acoustic Sensors and Applications
Process Ultrasonics
Ultrasonic Motors and Actuators
Ultrasonic Flow Measurements
E.

Emerging Fields

Acoustic Holograms and Acoustic Fabrication
Coupled Acoustic/Elastic/Electromagnetic Waves
Digital Rocks and Rock Acoustic Physics
Machine Learning and Statistical Methods in Acoustics
Immersive Acoustics and Binaural Acoustic Imaging
Ultrasound Flow Measurement and Acoustic Micro-Fluidics
Ultrasonic Blockchain Network
Organizing Committee

Leadership

General Chair
Prof. Qifa Zhou
USC Biomedical Engineering

Full committee listings and scientific advisory board to be published in early 2027.

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