Contactless micromanipulation of small particles by an ultrasound field excited by a vibrating body

A method is presented to position and displace micron-sized particles of a diameter between 10 and 100 microm without contact to solid instruments. An ultrasound field is utilized for this purpose. It is excited in a fluid-filled gap between a harmonically vibrating body and a rigid plane surface of an arbitrary other body, e.g., an object slide or a wafer. In this ultrasound field a force field is established, which acts on the particles suspended in the fluid and moves them to certain positions. The advantage of the method is that it is possible to manipulate single particles or many particles in parallel on any surface, for example, on a structured wafer. Theoretical calculations of the force field and experimental results including three principles to displace particles with micrometer accuracy are shown. The method might be used for microassembly or cell manipulation and treatment.     

Extraction of biologic particles by pumping effect in a pi-shaped ultrasonic actuator

This paper presents a new method of extracting biologic particles from a mixture of particles. The method is based on the pumping effect in a π-shaped ultrasonic actuator, which has a gap between its two vibrating metal plates. An adhesive tape is placed at a proper position in the gap. Due to the pumping effect which is induced by the sound field in the gap, the particles with smaller mass and radius in the mixture can be pumped up to reach the adhesive tape; while the ones with larger mass cannot. Therefore, the particles with smaller mass and radius can be extracted from the mixture. A theoretical model which can well explain the operation principle and experimental phenomena is developed. By the experimental results and the theoretical analyses based on the model, the validity of the method in extracting small particles from a mixture of solid particles in air is confirmed, and the effects of the actuator’s vibration, adhesive tape height, contents of the mixture and viscosity of fluid on the extraction are clarified. Also, it is theoretically predicted that the method will work under the microgravity condition in air.     

Towards the automation of micron-sized particle handling by use of acoustic manipulation assisted by microfluidics

The use of acoustic radiation forces for the manipulation and positioning of micrometer sized particles has shown to be a promising approach. Resonant excitation of a system containing a particle laden fluid filled cavity, can (depending on the mode excited) result in positioning of the particles in parallel lines (1-D) or distinct clumps in a grid formation (2-D) due to the high amplitude standing pressure fields that arise in the fluid. In a broader context, the alignment of particles using acoustic forces can be used to assist manipulation processes which utilise an external mechanical tool, for instance a microgripper. In such a system, particles can be removed sequentially from a line formed by acoustic forces within a microfluidic channel, hence allowing a degree of automation. In order to fully automate the gripping process, the particles must be confined to a repeatable and accurate location in two dimensions (assuming that in the third dimension they sit on the lower surface of the channel). Only in this way it is possible to remove subsequent particles by simply bringing the gripper to a known location and activating its fingers. This combined use of acoustic forces and mechanical gripping requires that one extremity of the channel is open. However, the presence of the liquid-air interface which occurs at this opening, causes the standing pressure field to decay to zero towards the opening. In a volume of liquid in proximity to the interface positioning of particles by acoustic forces is therefore no longer possible. In addition, the longitudinal gradient of the field can cause a drift of particles towards the longitudinal center of the channel at some frequencies, undesirably moving them further away from the interface, and so further from the gripper. As a solution the use of microfluidic flow induced drag forces in addition to the acoustic force potential has been investigated.     

Numerical simulation of particle motion in an ultrasound field using the lattice Boltzmann model

In this paper we investigate the motion of small particles suspended in a fluid through which an ultrasound field is propagating. The application of the lattice Boltzmann model to this problem is considered using a two dimensional model. Particles in an ultrasound field are observed to move with a mean particle motion. Further, the time-averaged force on a fixed cylinder is computed and found to be in good agreement with a theoretical expression for the radiation force. Simulations are performed with a single particle, although the approach can equally be applied for a larger number of particles.     

Numerical simulation of particle motion in an ultrasound field using the lattice Boltzmann model

In this paper we investigate the motion of small particles suspended in a fluid through which an ultrasound field is propagating. The application of the lattice Boltzmann model to this problem is considered using a two dimensional model. Particles in an ultrasound field are observed to move with a mean particle motion. Further, the time-averaged force on a fixed cylinder is computed and found to be in good agreement with a theoretical expression for the radiation force. Simulations are performed with a single particle, although the approach can equally be applied for a larger number of particles.     

Finite element modeling of a microparticle manipulator

The contactless movement of microparticles and cells to known locations within a fluid volume is of interest in the fields of microtechnology and life sciences. A device which can position such inhomogeneities suspended in a fluid at multiple locations is described and modeled. The device consists of a thin fluid layer contained in a channel etched into a silicon wafer. Waves are excited by a macro-piezoelectric plate with electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces and, as a result, waves propagate into the adjacent fluid. The result is a pressure field throughout the fluidic volume. When an inhomogeneity in a fluid is exposed to an ultrasonic field the acoustic radiation force results; this is found by integrating the pressure over the surface of the particle, retaining second order terms, and taking the time average. Thus, due to the presence of a pressure field in the fluid in which the particles are suspended, a force field is created. The particles are then collected at the locations of the force potential minima. In the device described here, the force field is used to position particles into lines. The locations of the particles are predicted by using a finite element model of the system. The experimental and modeling results, presented here, are in good agreement.     

声悬浮的实验研究和数值模拟分析

介绍了自行研制的一种磁致伸缩式单轴超声悬浮装置,用此装置实现了尺寸1—7mm的若干种金属、半导体和有机物在空气中的稳定悬浮和定位,可悬浮样品的密度高达11.3g/cm³.为了优化谐振腔设计,采用边界元方法结合两类不同结构的谐振腔模型研究了谐振腔几何形状对声场分布以及悬浮定位能力和悬浮稳定性的影响. 关键词：     

Numerical studies of atmospheric pressure glow discharge controlled by a dielectric barrier between two coaxial electrodes

The glow discharge in pure helium at atmospheric pressure, controlled by a dielectric barrier between coaxial electrodes, is investigated based on a one-dimensional self-consistent fluid model. By solving the continuity equations for electrons, ions, and excited atoms, with the current conservation equation and the electric field profile, the time evolution of the discharge current, gas voltage and the surface density of charged particles on the dielectric barrier are calculated. The simulation results show that the peak values of the discharge current, gas voltage and electric field in the first half period are asymmetric to the second half. When the current reaches its positive or negative maximum, the electric field profile, and the electron and ion densities represent similar properties to the typical glow discharge at low pressures. Obviously there exist a cathode fall, a negative glow region, and a positive column. Effects of the barrier position in between the two coaxial electrodes and the discharge gap width on discharge current characteristics are also analysed. The result indicates that, in the case when the dielectric covering the outer electrode only, the gas is punctured earlier during the former half period and later during the latter half period than other cases, also the current peak value is higher, and the difference of pulse width between the two half periods is more obvious. On reducing the gap width, the multiple current pulse discharge happens.     

低气压氙气介质阻挡放电的一维仿真研究

通过建立一个自洽耦合的一维流体模型来描述低气压氙气介质阻挡放电(DBD),并采用有限元法对模型进行数值仿真研究,得到了不同外加电压幅值和频率下的气体间隙压降、放电电流、介质表面电荷随时间的变化关系以及电子、离子、中性粒子和空间电场的时域分布.仿真结果表明:介质表面电荷对放电的点燃与熄灭起着关键的作用;在一个放电周期内,根据气体间隙压降的变化情况,介质表面电荷可按六个阶段进行分析;随着外施电压幅值的增加,间隙击穿逐渐提前至外施电压过零点之前发生,放电更为剧烈;随着外施电压频率的提高,气体间隙压降减小,间隙容易击穿,放电也更加均匀.粒子及空间电场的时域分布表明氙气DBD为典型的辉光放电.     

Velocity measurements in a turbulent round jet using PTV: the effect of tracer particles

The effects of different tracer particles used in the PTV technique on the velocity field are investigated. The measurements are taken in a water round jet at a Reynolds number equal to about 40000, a flow field widely examined in the literature, in which strong velocity differences are encountered. The interest is focused onto particles with different density. Although the mean and rms values are almost unaffected, both measurements obtained with light and heavy particles (in comparison to the density of the fluid) reveal a modified velocity field. The moments of velocity differences (structure functions) point out that such a modification is felt within each range of flow scales. Particles with density almost equal to that of the fluid reproduce the flow behaviour over all the scales.     

Levitation and Control for an Ordered Group of Particles and Rectilinear Structures in an Ultrasonic Field

Acoustical Physics - A method of control for an ordered group of particles that levitate in an ultrasonic field and structures of rectilinear segments is proposed. An ultrasonic field in air at a...     

气固两相混合层流场双向耦合的数值研究

采用双向耦合模型对有涡配对的二维气固两相混合展数值模拟,在考虑颗粒对流场反作用基础上进一步对颗粒间通过流体的相互作用进行分析。流场用拟谱方法求解,颗粒用颗粒轨道模型跟踪。结果发现,流场中大涡卷起和配对仍居主导地位;颗粒Ｓｔ数为Ｏ（０．１）～Ｏ（１）时,颗粒减弱了流场雷诺应力强度,加快涡量扩散; Ｓｔ数为Ｏ（１）时,颗粒分布极不均匀,主要集中在渴的边缘．     

Micro-manipulation of small particles by node position control of an ultrasonic standing wave

For the controlled positioning of small particles with ultrasound a standing wave in a fluid is used. The standing wave is implemented in a resonator, that consists of a fluid filled tube and two piezoelectric transducers on each end. A one-dimensional model of a piezo-device including the fluid-loading on one side and a backside support is introduced. This model allows the calculation of the transmitted wave as a function of the applied electric voltage and the incident wave. In addition, when an electrical impedance is connected to the piezo-device, the reflection coefficient can be varied in amplitude and phase, so that the parameters of the reflected wave can be controlled completely. The resonator itself, consisting of a piezo-device on each end and the fluid between, is included in the model. Several methods to shift the nodes of the standing wave in the resonator are investigated and the ability to position particles is discussed.     

Model for continuously scanning ultrasound vibrometer sensing displacements of randomly rough vibrating surfaces

An analytic model is developed for the time-dependent ultrasound field reflected off a randomly rough vibrating surface for a continuously scanning ultrasound vibrometer system in bistatic configuration. Kirchhoff's approximation to Green's theorem is applied to model the three-dimensional scattering interaction of the ultrasound wave field with the vibrating rough surface. The model incorporates the beam patterns of both the transmitting and receiving ultrasound transducers and the statistical properties of the rough surface. Two methods are applied to the ultrasound system for estimating displacement and velocity amplitudes of an oscillating surface: incoherent Doppler shift spectra and coherent interferometry. Motion of the vibrometer over the randomly rough surface leads to time-dependent scattering noise that causes a randomization of the received signal spectrum. Simulations with the model indicate that surface displacement and velocity estimation are highly dependent upon the scan velocity and projected wavelength of the ultrasound vibrometer relative to the roughness height standard deviation and correlation length scales of the rough surface. The model is applied to determine limiting scan speeds for ultrasound vibrometer measuring ground displacements arising from acoustic or seismic excitation to be used in acoustic landmine confirmation sensing.     

Acoustic flows in a fluid layer on a vibrating substrate

The field of radiation forces in a fluid layer on a solid substrate is calculated. This field is formed during propagation of surface capillary wave along a free surface. The wave is excited by substrate vibrations as a result of instability development. The structure of acoustic flows is studied. Their effect on small-size particles and the possibilities of generating ordered structures from these particles are discussed.     

Microparticle column geometry in acoustic stationary fields

Particles suspended in a fluid will experience forces from stationary acoustic fields. The magnitude of the force depends on the time-averaged energy density of the field and the material properties of the particles and fluid. Forces acting on known particles smaller than 20 microm were studied. Within a 500 kHz acoustic beam generated by a plane-piston circular source, observations were made of the geometry of the particle column that is formed. Varying the acoustic energy altered the column width in a manner predicted by equations for the primary acoustic radiation force from scattering of particles in the long-wavelength limit. The minimum pressures required to trap gas, solid, and liquid particles in a water medium at room temperature were also estimated to within 12%. These results highlight the ability of stationary acoustic fields from a plane-piston radiator to impose nano-Newton-scale forces onto fluid particles with properties similar to biological cells, and suggest that it is possible to accurately quantify these forces.     

The use of acoustic radiation forces to position particles within fluid droplets

Handling of micrometer sizes particles, such as biological cells or coated beads, plays a relevant role in the field of life science. A number of devices have been presented in the last years, in which acoustic forces generated by coupling the vibration of a solid structure excited by a piezoelectric transducer to the particle suspension are used to collect particles in lines or position them in clumps on a grid. Following the trend of lab-on-a-chip devices, efforts have been made to shrink the size of such systems, aiming at less reagent consumption and shorter reaction times. The majority of these systems consist of closed fluid filled volumes, typically channels. Here the use of an open fluid volume, a droplet, is examined. By exciting resonances into the droplet positioned on a surface, particles can be gathered into a line, two parallel lines or, as the frequency of excitation is increased, into more complex patterns. Such a concentration process will have useful applications in improved detection sensitivity of low concentration particulate solutions.     

Experimental results on the photophoretic motion and radiometric trapping of particles by irradiation with laser light

An experimental observation of the photophoretic motion of micro-sized particles suspended in air has been performed using the radiometric force from a continuous laser beam. The irradiation was used to trap the particles in a confined optical field and to levitate them. Complex photophoretic motion of the particles was observed in the focus of the beam.     

Conditions for laser-induced plasma to effectively remove nano-particles on silicon surfaces

Particles can be removed from a silicon surface by means of irradiation and a laser plasma shock wave.The particles and silicon are heated by the irradiation and they will expand differently due to their different expansion coefficients,making the particles easier to be removed.Laser plasma can ionize and even vaporize particles more significantly than an incident laser and,therefore,it can remove the particles more efficiently.The laser plasma shock wave plays a dominant role in removing particles,which is attributed to its strong burst force.The pressure of the laser plasma shock wave is determined by the laser pulse energy and the gap between the focus of laser and substrate surface.In order to obtain the working conditions for particle removal,the removal mechanism,as well as the temporal and spatial characteristics of velocity,propagation distance and pressure of shock wave have been researched.On the basis of our results,the conditions for nano-particle removal are achieved.     

Micromagnetic simulations on detection of magnetic labelled biomolecules using MR sensors

In this work, we present a study of the interaction between the magnetic particles used in biological applications and the giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) sensor. The fractional change in resistance, and hence the sensitivity, will be maximized by matching, as far as possible, the size of the sensor to the size of the beads and by carefully positioning the beads over the sensor. We found, by micromagnetic simulations, that the amount of the surface coverage with magnetic particles may affect the magnetization curve of the sensor and will change the field dependence of the GMR response.