Acoustic steering of active spherical carriers

Abstract

Following the novel introduced concept of the active carriers, this paper brings forward a technique toward the manipulability of an internally piezo-equipped active spherical carrier subjected to the progressive acoustic plane waves as the handling contactless asset. It is assumed that the piezoelectric part of the active carrier may be actuated as a bi-sectional body (i.e., two continuous hemispherical parts), with prescribed phase difference, and the polar position of the imaginary separating plane may be altered. This issue brings about an asymmetry in the dynamics of the problem which leads to emergence of position/frequency dependent acoustic radiation torque. It is obtained that as the carrier is excited by imposing harmonic voltage with the same amplitude and a π-radians phase difference, the zero-radiation force situation is obtained for a specific amplitude and phase of voltage as a function of frequency. This situation is treated as a criterion to determine the optimal amplitude of operation voltage. It is shown that the net force's direction exerted on the activated carrier may be steered along any desired orientation, assuming the fixed direction of incident wave field. The explained method of excitation and controllability of the spatial position of the divisor plane can possibly be a breakthrough in acoustic handling of active carriers. Noticeably, by this new technique, the single beam acoustic based contact-free methods and their applications in association with the concept of active carriers are now one step forward.