G. Potter
SUNY Albany, NY, USA
Many sensors, such as flow sensors and those used in medical diagnostics, rely on microfluidic devices. However, mixing and pumping fluids becomes challenging because of the small size of these devices. As an alternative to traditional actuation methods, surface acoustic waves (SAWs) can be used to create fluid streaming. Through a collaboration between SUNY Albany and SEMATECH, researchers have modeled and simulated a configuration of interdigitated transducers (IDTs), along with the piezoelectric substrate configuration and harmonic vibrations that generate SAWs. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, they studied the factors that affect the optimization of the device geometry, such as the acoustic streaming response and resonant frequency. Using their simulation results, they have confirmed that SAWs with greater vertical displacements have higher streaming velocities, and have correlated their results to experimental measurements.
Suggested Stories
Understanding the Origin of Uncertainty in Thermometer Calibration
Thermometers have widespread application and like any measurement device, they must be calibrated. Many do this with ...
A Smooth Optical Surface in Minutes
Zeeko Ltd is a technology company that manufactures corrective polishing machines for optics and other surfaces. They ...
Making Smart Materials Smarter with Multiphysics Simulation
Smart materials with magnetostrictive behavior are engineered and incorporated in high-precision devices by the ...
Get an Inside Look at How Samsung Uses Acoustics Simulations
Step into the state-of-the-art Samsung Audio Lab to see how they develop loudspeakers, soundbars, and other audio ...
