Noncontact Manipulation of Light Objects Based on Parameter Modulations of Acoustic Pressure Nodes

Abstract

An investigation of noncontact manipulation techniques based on acoustic levitation was undertaken in air. The standing wave acoustic levitation (SWAL) was observed when standing waves trap small objects at pressure nodes. In this paper, two ultrasonic bolt-clamped Langevin type transducers (BLTs) generating traveling waves by modulating parameters of the two traveling waves were used to manipulate a trapped object. Frequency, amplitude, and phase modulations of the two actuators were exploited. From simulation and experiments, the phase modulation was prominent among other methods due to its long range and smooth operation. It is also found that angles between two actuators affect the trajectory of the trapped object during the parameter modulations. Sinusoidal and elliptic paths of the object were observed experimentally through a combination of parameters at certain tilt angles.

Analysis of the effects of acoustic levitation to simulate the microgravity environment on the development of early zebrafish embryos

“…Given its successes seen in other elds such as materials preparation, acoustic levitation (AL) technology has shown a considerable potential for applications in life sciences and biology. 5 Utilizing its characteristics of being contactless and allowing materials transportation, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] this technology can provide a wall-less, non-contact platform to allow the assembly of small parts, without negative effects from the container wall or sample holder to be experienced. Practical applications of this approach, such as in drug-loading, diagnosis and articial insemination have been performed successfully.…”

Acoustic-propelled micro/nanomotors and nanoparticles for biomedical research, diagnosis, and therapeutic applications

“…Acoustic manipulation by adjusting the phase provides a more continuous and stable one-dimensional levitation transportation capability compared to the above two methods ( Park and Ro, 2013 ). This is because the transducers maintain a fixed excitation frequency throughout the transportation process using the phase control method, thereby allowing the utilization of transducers with high quality factors to enhance the sound pressure of the acoustic field.…”

Requirements for a transportation system based on ultrasonic traveling waves using the measurement of spatial phase difference

“…Unlike air pressure systems or magnetic-based systems, ultrasonic transportation systems show a number of important characteristics, such as having a simple configuration and use over long transportation distances being possible, with no limitations on the materials used, as well as allowing docking at arbitrary points. Compared to early SW (Standing Wave)-induced ultrasonic transportation systems [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], the dual transducer-type ultrasonic levitation-based transportation system is capable of generating a mixture of both SWs and TWs (Traveling Waves). This means that the transportation direction and the velocity of this system can be easily controlled by adjusting the direction and component of the TWs (defined as the Standing Wave Ratio, SWR).…”