Asma Akther

Ultrasonic wave propagation of flexible piezoelectric polymer for tactile actuator: simulation and experiment

This study deals with ultrasonic wave propagation on a piezoelectric polymer substrate for tactile actuator. On the piezoelectric polymer substrate, a pair of interdigital transductor (IDT) electrodes is patterned by lift-off process and a resonator is made by exciting the IDTs. A standing wave is generated between the pair of IDT electrodes, of which the wavelength matches with the distance between two IDTs. The standing ultrasonic waves can give different textures to the users. The wave propagation in this periodic structure on the polymer substrate is studied by harmonic and transient analysis. Vertical displacement and induced voltage at the output IDT electrode are calculated and the ultrasonic wave generation is experimentally verified. The proposed concept of tactile actuator based on ultrasonic wave is explained.

Simulation and experimental verification of flexible cellulose acetate haptic array actuator

This paper reports the experiment and finite element (FEM) simulation of an array type film haptic actuator. Haptic actuator was made of cellulose acetate films and adhesive tape separator between two films. For preparing 3×3 array haptic device, nine identical actuators were joined together. The purpose of an actuator is to create vibration feedback resulting from applied potential. Cellulose acetate based film actuator is suitable for transparent haptic devices because of its high dielectric constant, flexibility and transparency. The focus of this paper is to use a finite element model to simulate and analysis haptic actuator and verify that result with experiment. The reason of preferring ANSYS simulation is for the flexibility of modeling, time saving, post processing criteria and result accuracy.

Cellulose/PDMS hybrid material for actuating lens

Miniaturization of optical systems has promoted a revolution in lens technology and this emerging field has much interest for medical practitioners as well as electronic engineers. Tunable liquid lens capable of adjusting its focal length have special curiosity in this regard where in micro-scale actuators are often integrated. Here we demonstrate a lens consisting of a transparent elastomer liquid composite containing organo modified cellulose nanocrystals. The actuator with the working voltage of only up to 0.8kV was capable to produce an area expansion and thereby altering the curvature of the lens (focal length) reversibly in 5 seconds. The effect of filler concentration on optical property and dielectric behavior of the composites were also analyzed.

Cellulose/graphene oxide composite for electrode materials of flexible energy devices

The appeal of portable electronic devices is growing gradually, which increases the demand for flexible and renewable energy storage devices. Hybrid materials can be used as renewable and flexible electrode material for this kind of devices. Organic–inorganic hybrid materials represent a creative substitute to design new materials and composites by accepting advantages of both materials. This paper reports the possibility of renewable cellulose and graphene composite as an electrode material for energy storage device such as supercapacitor. The morphology and structure of the nanocomposite are studied using scanning electron microscope and Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. The performance of the composite as supercapacitor electrode material is evaluated by cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic charge-discharge curves.

Feasibility study of cellulose nanofiber alignment by high DC magnetic field

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) has taken center stage as a future material with high specific strength, specific modulus and environmentally friendly behavior. However, natural CNFs are so randomly oriented that once CNFs are used in composites, their mechanical properties are not the same as expected from the CNFs. Thus, CNF alignment is important in fabricating composites and fibers. Interestingly, CNFs have negative diamagnetic anisotropy. In the presence of high magnetic field, the fiber axis of CNF can be aligned perpendicular to the applied field. This paper reports a preliminary study of CNF alignment by high dc magnetic field. The CNF emulsion is prepared by aqueous counter collision method and centrifugation. The CNF emulsion is placed in the high dc magnet and cured for a certain time. The alignment of CNF is investigated by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical tensile test.

Fabrication and finite element analysis of vibrating parallel film actuator made with cellulose acetate for potential haptic application

The present study investigates a film actuator made with dielectric cellulose acetate films separated by narrow spacers as a means of electrostatic actuation for potential haptic application. Fabrication process for the actuator is explained along with experiments conducted over a wide frequency range of actuation frequency. A valid finite element simulation of the actuator is made on the quarter section of the actuator by using full 3D finite elements. Vibration characteristics such as fundamental natural frequency, mode shape and output velocity in the frequency range for haptic feeling generation are obtained from the finite element analysis and compared with the experimental results. Experimental results demonstrate that the finite element model is practical and effective enough in predicting the vibration characteristics of the actuator for haptic application. The film actuator shows many promising properties like high transparency, wide range of actuation frequency and high vibration velocity for instance.

Feasibility of transparent flexible ultrasonic haptic actuator

Ultrasonic haptics actuator is a device that can create a haptic feedback to user’s hand. The modulation of ultrasonic frequency can give different textures to the users. In this study, a feasibility of the ultrasonic haptic actuator made on a flexible piezoelectric substrate is investigated. As the piezoelectric substrate helps to propagate flexural waves, a pair of interdigital transducer (IDT) with reflectors can produce standing waves, which can increase the vibrational displacement of the actuator. A pair of IDT pattern was fabricated on a piezoelectric polymer substrate. A finite element analysis is at first performed to design the actuator. A sinusoidal excitation voltage is applied on IDT electrodes at ultrasonic frequencies and the displacement waveforms are found. The displacement waveforms clearly represent how ultrasonic waves propagate through the piezoelectric substrate.

Synthesis and characterization of cellulose nanocrystal/graphene oxide blended films

Hybrid composites with organic and inorganic materials are drawing interest to researchers by adopting advantages of organic materials and inorganic materials. Cellulose is biocompatible, cheap, environmentally friendly, renewable and lightweight material. Nano crystalline form of cellulose (CNC) is a needle like rigid structure with a very high mechanical strength. Graphene, crystalline forms of carbon, provides basic platform for many electronic and optoelectronic devices. This paper introduces the fabrication process of cellulose nanocrystal/graphene oxide blended nanocomposite film. Cellulose nanocrystal/graphene oxide nanocomposite films are prepared by mixing graphene oxide (GO) into cellulose nanocrystal suspension using ultrasonic homogenizer. Scanning electron microscopy is used to study morphology. Optical properties of the composite was characterized to evaluate the change in transparency after addition of GO in CNC.