Jasmina Casals-Terré

Resonant Pull-In Condition in Parallel-Plate Electrostatic Actuators

Electrostatic parallel-plate actuators are a common way of actuating microelectromechanical systems, both statically and dynamically. In the static case, the stable actuation voltages are limited by the static pull-in condition, which indicates that the travel range is approximately limited to 1/3 of the initial actuation gap. Under dynamic actuation conditions, however, the stable voltages are reduced, whereas the travel range can be much extended. This is the case with the dynamic pull-in and the resonant pull-in conditions (RPCs). Using energy analysis, this paper extends the study of pull-in instability to the resonant case and derives the analytical RPC. This condition predicts snapping or pull-in of the structure for a given domain of dc and ac actuation voltages versus quality factor, taking into account the nonlinearities due to large amplitudes of oscillation. Experimental results are presented to validate the analytically derived RPC.

Snap-Action Bistable Micromechanisms Actuated by Nonlinear Resonance

This paper presents analysis, design, realization, and experimental demonstration of a bistable switch actuated dynamically utilizing mechanical resonance phenomenon. We demonstrated that if a bistable structure is driven into a resonance near one of its states, it may achieve a large enough amplitude of vibration, sufficient to switch between its stable states. Using energy analysis, we concluded that dynamic switching of bistable structures may provide significant energy advantages over conventional static-switching approaches. To confirm the results, we derived analytically the closed-form actuation conditions guaranteeing switching between the states of a bistable structure and applied these conditions to experimental devices. Micromachined prototypes of dynamically actuated bistable switches were designed, fabricated, and characterized. We demonstrated experimentally that resonant dynamic switching provides energy saving of around 60% at atmospheric pressure with proportional increase in efficiency as the pressure decreases.

Snap-action bistable micromechanism actuated by nonlinear resonance

Snap-action bistable mechanisms have a practical use in applications when very few but well defined states of a micro-mechanism are required. Conventionally, the switching between bistable states is done statically, utilizing either electrostatic or thermal actuation. This paper explores a paradigm utilizing structural resonance phenomena to switch dynamically between states. We reports a detailed mathematical model governing the non-linear response of the buckled beams in their bistable equilibrium; analytical and FEA results describing non-linear dynamics of the mechanism near its equilibrium state and transient dynamics of switching between bistable states; and design, fabrication, and initial characterization results of a micro-machined double-beam test structure

Microfluidic point-of-care blood panel based on a novel technique: Reversible electroosmotic flow

A wide range of diseases and conditions are monitored or diagnosed from blood plasma, but the ability to analyze a whole blood sample with the requirements for a point-of-care device, such as robustness, user-friendliness, and simple handling, remains unmet. Microfluidics technology offers the possibility not only to work fresh thumb-pricked whole blood but also to maximize the amount of the obtained plasma from the initial sample and therefore the possibility to implement multiple tests in a single cartridge. The microfluidic design presented in this paper is a combination of cross-flow filtration with a reversible electroosmotic flow that prevents clogging at the filter entrance and maximizes the amount of separated plasma. The main advantage of this design is its efficiency, since from a small amount of sample (a single droplet [Formula: see text]10 μl) almost 10% of this (approx 1 μl) is extracted and collected with high purity (more than 99%) in a reasonable time (5-8 min). To validate the quality and quantity of the separated plasma and to show its potential as a clinical tool, the microfluidic chip has been combined with lateral flow immunochromatography technology to perform a qualitative detection of the thyroid-stimulating hormone and a blood panel for measuring cardiac Troponin and Creatine Kinase MB. The results from the microfluidic system are comparable to previous commercial lateral flow assays that required more sample for implementing fewer tests.

Dynamic analysis of a snap-action micromechanism

Snap-action bistable mechanisms have a practical use in applications when very few but well defined and repeatable states of a micro-mechanism are required. Some obvious applications include micro-switches, addressable MEMS-based pixel arrays, and tunable optical filters. We have explored the dynamic switching phenomena analytically and experimentally. This paper reports on a detailed mathematical model governing the non-linear response of a bistable micromechanism in its bistable equilibrium, analytical results describing non-linear dynamics of the mechanism near its equilibrium state and transient dynamics of switching between bistable states, and design, fabrication, and characterization results bistable micromechanism in their upper bistable equilibrium.

A Low-Power-Consumption Out-of-Plane Electrothermal Actuator

This paper proposes a new vertical electrothermal actuator. It can be considered as a hybrid between the traditional in-plane buckle-beam actuator and the vertical hot-cold actuator. It is here referred to as vertical buckle beam. At identical dimensional and bias conditions, it features a displacement larger than that of other vertical electrothermal actuators proposed so far in the literature. The actuator performance is demonstrated by means of an analytical model along with finite-element analysis. It is applied as a driving element in parallel-plate capacitors, where it is validated and its advantages in terms of power consumption are demonstrated empirically.

The use of rapid prototyping techniques (RPT) to manufacture micro channels suitable for high operation pressures and uPIV

Purpose– This paper aims to present a new methodology to manufacture micro-channels suitable for high operating pressures and micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) measurements using a rapid-prot ...

A novel fabrication technique to minimize poly(dimethylsiloxane)-microchannels deformation under high-pressure operation.

PDMS is one of the most common materials used for the flow delivery in the microfluidics chips, since it is clear, inert, nontoxic, and nonflammable. Its inexpensiveness, straightforward fabrication, and biological compatibility have made it a favorite material in the exploratory stages of the bio‐microfluidic devices. If small footprint assays want to be performed while keeping the throughput, high pressure‐rated channels should be used, but PDMS flexibility causes an important issue since it can generate a large variation of microchannel geometry. In this work, a novel fabrication technique based on the prevention of PDMS deformation is developed. A photo‐sensible thiolene resin (Norland Optical Adhesive 63, NOA 63) is used to create a rigid coating layer over the stiff PDMS micropillar array, which significantly reduces the pressure‐induced shape changes. This method uses the exact same soft lithography manufacturing equipment. The verification of the presented technique was investigated experimentally and numerically and the manufactured samples showed a deformation 70% lower than PDMS conventional samples.

Grease flow in an elbow channel

AbstractThe flow of lubricating greases in an elbow channel has been modeled and validated with velocity profiles from flow visualizations using micro-particle image velocimetry. The elbow geometry induces a nonsymmetric distribution of shear stress throughout its cross section, as well as varying shear rates through the transition from the elbow inlet to the outlet. The flow has been modeled both for higher flow rates and for creep flow. The influence of the grease rheology and flow conditions to wall slip, shear banding and an observed stick–slip type of motion observed for low flow rates are presented. The effect on the flow of the applied pressure is also modeled showing that the flow is sensitive to the pressure in the angular (