Microfluidics for Miniaturized Laboratories on a Chip

Microfluidic systems promise solutions for high throughput and highly specific analysis for biology, medicine and chemistry while consuming only tiny amounts of reactants and space. On these lab‐on‐a‐chip platforms often multiple physical effects such as electrokinetic, acoustic or capillary phenomena from various disciplines are exploited to gain the optimal functionality. The fluidics on these small length scales differ significantly from our experience of the macroscopic world. In this Review we survey some of the approaches and techniques to handle minute amounts of fluid volumes in microfluidic systems with special focus on surface acoustic wave driven fluidics, a technique developed in our laboratory. Here, we outline the basics of this technique and demonstrate, for example, how acoustic mixing and fluid actuation is realized. Furthermore we discuss the interplay of different physical effects in microfluidic systems and illustrate their usefulness for several applications.     

Single-mode fused coupler for undersea optical transmission systems

A single mode 3 dB fused coupler, to be used as a redundant laser combiner in the submerged repeater of an undersea optical fibre transmission system, is described. The fabrication and package design of the component for this high reliability application is discussed, and the results of a wide range of environmental tests are given.     

Holographic optical elements — State-of-the-art review: Part I

A state-of-the-art review on holographic optical elements (HOE) is presented in two parts. In Part I a conceptual overview and an assessment of the current status on the design of HOE have been included. It is pointed out that HOE development based on the use of squeezed light, speckle, non-linear recording, comparative studies between optics and communication approaches, are some of the promising directions for future research in this vital area of photonics.     

Agglomeration of particles by a converging ultrasound field and their quantitative assessments

The acoustic radiation force resulting from acoustic waves have been extensively studied for the contact-free generation of organized patterning arrays. The precise arrangement of microscopic objects clustered at the pressure nodes is critical to the development of functional structures and patterned surfaces. However, the size of the clusters is restricted by the saturation limit of the acoustic nodes. Here, we present a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) platform, which employs a two-dimensional acoustic wave to propel particles of various sizes. Experimentally, when particles are large, significant acoustic energy is scattered and partly absorbed by the matched layers in front of the sensors. The acoustic radiation force from a convergent acoustic pressure field agglomerates the large polystyrene (PS) particles towards the central region instead of the pressure nodes. The parametric analysis has been performed to assess the transition in the particles from clustering at the organized nodal arrays to agglomerating in the central region, which is a function of particle size, particle concentration, and load voltage. Statistically, the particles can agglomerate with a cluster ratio greater than 70%, and this ratio can be improved by increasing the load power/voltage supplied to the transducers. With its ability to perform biocompatible, label-free, and contact-free self-assembly, this concept offers a new possibility in the fabrication of colloidal layers, the recreation of tissue microstructure, the development of organoid spheroid cultures, the migration of microorganisms, and the assembly of bioprinting materials.     

Micron-sized particle separation with standing surface acoustic wave—Experimental and numerical approaches

Traditional cell/particle isolation methods are time-consuming and expensive and can lead to morphology disruptions due to high induced shear stress. To address these problems, novel lab-on-a-chip-based purification methods have been employed. Among various methods introduced for the separation and purification of cells and synthetics particles, acoustofluidics has been one of the most effective methods. Unlike traditional separation techniques carried out in clinical laboratories based on chemical properties, the acoustofluidic process relies on the physical properties of the sample. Using acoustofluidics, manipulating cells and particles can be achieved in a label-free, contact-free, and highly biocompatible manner. To optimize the functionality of the platform, the numerical study should be taken into account before conducting experimental tests to save time and reduce fabrication expenses. Most current numerical studies have only considered one-dimensional harmonic standing waves to simulate the acoustic pressure distribution. However, one-dimensional simulations cannot calculate the actual acoustic pressure distribution inside the microchannel due to its limitation in considering longitudinal waves. To address this limitation, a two-dimensional numerical simulation was conducted in this study. Our numerical simulation investigates the effects of the platform geometrical and operational conditions on the separation efficiency. Next, the optimal values are tested in an experimental setting to validate these optimal parameters and conditions. This work provides a guideline for future acoustofluidic chip designs with a high degree of reproducibility and efficiency.     

一种高灵敏度的桥型声表面波应变传感器*

为了提高声表面波传感器应变灵敏度,该文提出了一种桥型声表面波应变传感器。首先根据受压弯曲构件中应变分布特点设计了桥型声表面波应变传感器,并建立有限元模型,结合微扰法分析了桥型结构几何参数与声表面波应变传感器灵敏度的关系。根据分析结果确定桥型声表面波应变传感器几何结构参数,并与传统声表面波应变传感器的应变灵敏度进行了对比研究,在此基础上搭建受压弯曲微动平台开展实验研究,结果表明:在直梁构件受压弯曲应变测量时,Y34°切向的桥型声表面波应变传感器的应变灵敏度为1692 Hz/με,传统声表面波传感器应变灵敏度为1328 Hz/με,桥型声表面波应变传感器的应变灵敏度较传统声表面波应变传感器有明显提高。     

Linear and nonlinear fluctuations of electron-temperature-gradient driven mode and electron acoustic mode in a two-electron temperature nonthermal magnetized plasma

Nonlinear vortical structures and soliton formation are investigated for electron temperature gradient instability in a two-electron temperature non-Maxwellian magnetoplasma. The inhomogeneity in magnetic field is also considered. A new set of nonlinear equations, using transport equations of Braginskii”s model, are formulated to study the nonlinear structures. A modified linear dispersion relation of coupled electron temperature gradient (ETG) mode and electron acoustic wave is derived. The ETG instability is found to increase with increase in η_ec value that increases with sharp density gradients. The results are applied to auroral region of earth's magnetosphere and the calculated values of the nonlinear electric field of fast solitary waves are found to be in agreement with the Viking satellite observations.     

应用声信号特征识别车辆车型及车速范围*

国内外现有研究工作主要针对车型进行识别,该文在此基础上对车速范围的分类识别进行了研究。文中将主成分分析方法和BP神经网络算法结合(PCA-BP)对车型与车速进行识别分析,对比了与BP神经网络算法识别速度的差异。结果表明应用PCA-BP方法的识别效果整体较好,且在识别过程中可以节省计算时长的50%～70%左右,大大提高了识别速度。在未来的车辆识别系统实现中,可以在保证良好识别效果的前提下,提高软硬件平台的传输效率,节省识别计算时间。     

混凝土中的声发射波速特性及其在源定位中的应用*

利用声发射技术监测受载混凝土裂缝发展特征的首要任务是对声发射源的准确定位。为了解混凝土中声发射波速特性,提高声发射源定位精度,该文开展了一系列室内试验,构建了考虑衰减现象的声发射波速修正模型,优化建立了基于修正波速的区域穷举定位法。结果表明:水灰比越小,基准波速越大,波速随距离的衰减越大。骨料粒径越大,基准波速越大,波速随距离的衰减越大。直线距离小于500 mm时,可采用对数函数描述声发射波速与距离的定量关系,以此构建的波速修正模型满足工程精度要求。采用修正波速的区域穷举定位法对单轴压缩试验产生的裂缝进行定位时,定位点比时差定位法更接近裂缝实际位置,有效提高了定位精度。