Review
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Tao Tang, Yoichiroh Hosokawa, Takeshi Hayakawa, Yo Tanaka, Weihua Li, Ming Li, Yaxiaer Yalikun
Summary: Cell rotation is a significant technique in cell manipulation, allowing observation from different angles and simplifying analysis of mechanical properties, cell physiology characterization, and microsurgery. Various methods, including micro-robot-based direct manipulation and field-based non-contact methods, have been utilized for cell rotation. This review summarizes the mechanisms, advantages, disadvantages, differences, and limitations of these methods, aiming to illustrate the development and prospects in the field of cell rotation.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Truyen The Le, Trong Tai Nguyen
Summary: In this study, a novel piezo rotary stick-slip actuator was designed and investigated. The actuator achieved high precision positioning with an angular displacement resolution of 0.028 degree and an operating frequency range up to 140 Hz. The closed-loop control scheme effectively controlled the actuator's position, increasing its potential application in industrial practice.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Matthias C. C. Wapler, Constantin Peter, Koustav Kanjilal, Ulrike Wallrabe
Summary: We introduce a miniaturized impact actuation mechanism that can provide fast out-of-plane displacement to accelerate objects against gravity. A piezoelectric stack actuator driven by a high-current pulse generator is used in this mechanism, along with a rigid support and a rigid three-point contact with the object. We describe the mechanism using a spring-mass model and compare different spheres with varying masses, diameters, and materials. Harder spheres achieve larger flight heights, such as approximately 3 mm displacement for a 3 mm steel sphere using a 3 x 3 x 2 mm(3) piezo stack.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
W. Merlijn van Spengen
Summary: Piezo actuators have desirable properties such as high stiffness and extreme position resolution, but suffer from electromechanical resonances which can be minimized by adding resistive or resistive-inductive damping. A comprehensive theory based on a purely electronic model is presented in this paper to describe piezo resonances and the mechanism for minimizing them using electrical damping components.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ali Bazaei, Massoud Hemmasian Ettefagh, Zhiyong Chen
Summary: A novel piezo-driven nanopositioning mechanism in the horizontal plane was studied, achieving highly symmetric positioning with external leverage mechanisms and differential actuation mode. The mechanism provides almost twice the stroke for the output stage compared to conventional non-differential actuation modes, with very small parasitic displacements.
MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jianhao Lai, Longhuan Yu, Lei Yuan, Junwen Liang, Mingxiang Ling, Rixin Wang, Haoyan Zang, Hai Li, Benliang Zhu, Xianmin Zhang
Summary: This paper presents a novel modeling method for the analysis of the dynamics of piezo-actuated compliant mechanisms. With an electromechanical model derived from linear piezoelectric vibration theory, an integrated modeling method based on the dynamic stiffness matrix method is proposed to efficiently and effectively solve the dynamics of complex piezo-actuated compliant mechanisms.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mingxiang Ling, Jiulong Wang, Mengxiang Wu, Lei Cao, Bo Fu
Summary: In this paper, an improved bridge-type compliant mechanism with double output ports is presented, which can generate homodromous bi-motions actuated by only one group of piezo-stacks to avoid inertial motion and enhance dynamic bandwidth. The mechanism's dynamic characteristics are captured through a two-port dynamic stiffness model, allowing for optimal performance confirmation. This mechanism is further applied to develop a piezoelectric two-stage flow control valve with fast dynamic response and large flow rate, effectively overcoming issues of inner leakage and oil contamination.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Chunhua Zhou, Yang An, Yongkang Yin, Zilong Ye, Fagang Zhao, Rui Liu, Liang Wang, Jianhui Zhang
Summary: A novel bellows-type piezo-hydraulic actuator with simple structure, large displacement, and self-locking when power is off was proposed, manufactured, and tested in this study. The results show that the actuator has maximum average velocities of 17.24 mu ms-1 and 13.9 kHz, maximum output forces of 0.163 N and 0.044 N, and self-locking forces of 0.059 N and 0.009 N for the big and small bellows-type actuators, respectively.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Zekui Lyu, Qingsong Xu
Summary: This paper presents a novel high-performance piezoelectric-actuated microgripper designed to achieve precise and stable operations in micromanipulation and microassembly. The microgripper integrates multiple mechanisms to achieve a large gripping stroke and utilizes optimization technology to analyze structural parameters. Finite element analysis confirms its superior performance, and experimental results demonstrate its excellent gripping capability and high precision.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Zekui Lyu, Qingsong Xu
Summary: This paper introduces the design, modeling, optimization, simulation, and experiment of a novel piezoelectrically actuated compliant microgripper. The microgripper has a larger displacement, higher area-usage efficiency, and better piezoelectric actuator utilization efficiency compared to previous designs. The micromanipulation capability of the gripper is demonstrated by gripping objects of different sizes and shapes.
PRECISION ENGINEERING-JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES FOR PRECISION ENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Rong-Tsu Wang, Jung-Chang Wang
Summary: This study compared five different types of closed piezo actuators (closed PA) with the previous open piezo actuators (open PAJ) as cooling fans. The results showed that the closed PA had a noise level about 10 dB lower than the open PAJ. When the closed PA was placed at a suitable distance from the heat source, the thermal convection coefficient was more than 120% higher than that of a conventional rotary fan. Thermal analysis technique evaluated the cooling performance of these five closed PAs, with the best one showing a decrease in convection thermal resistance of over 15%. In terms of energy consumption, the monolithic closed PA consumed less than 10% energy compared to a rotary fan. Among the five closed PAs, the best one had a piezoelectric sheet diameter of 41 mm, an opening length of 4 mm, and an outer opening length of 10 mm. The optimal operating conditions were a voltage frequency of 300 Hz and a release distance of 15 mm.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Qiang Sun, Shizhong Zhang, Xuan Li, Weiwei Chen, Wuxiang Sun, Hu Huang
Summary: This study proposes a two-degrees of freedom piezo-driven positioning platform by stacking two identical stick-slip piezoelectric actuators. The platform achieves large working stroke and high speed, and the working stroke can be easily increased by extending the guide rail length. Experimental results demonstrate stable bi-direction motion and high resolution of the platform.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
F. C. Martins, J. M. C. Pereira, J. C. F. Pereira
Summary: This study investigates the formation of a low momentum whirling laminar plume resulting from the interaction between a plume and a circulating flow imposed by a cylindrical rotating screen. Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the three-dimensional flow governed by the compressible Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The results show the evolution of the vorticity contours and the formation of co-rotating vortices, as well as the effects of the boundary layer and the similarity between vortex splitting and vortex merging processes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
S. Mohith, Muralidhara Rao, Navin P. Karanth, S. M. Kulkarni, Adithya R. Upadhya
Summary: The study focuses on the development of a new piezo-hydraulic actuator to overcome the limited stroke issue of traditional piezoelectric actuators, by incorporating a hydraulic displacement amplification mechanism.
PRECISION ENGINEERING-JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETIES FOR PRECISION ENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Mingxiang Ling, Xianmin Zhang
Summary: Piezoelectrically actuated compliant mechanisms play a crucial role in designing micro/nano manipulators, precision positioning stages/grippers, and various mechanical instruments. A new modeling methodology has been proposed to capture the coupling dynamic characteristics of such complex systems, allowing for accurate analysis and transformation into a control block diagram for problem-solving.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaoqing Tang, Xiaoming Liu, Pengyun Li, Fengyu Liu, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Physics, Applied
Yuyang Li, Xiaoming Liu, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: A noncontact rotational micromanipulation method using acoustically driven microbubble is reported in this study, allowing trapping and rotating micro-objects at the microscale. The rotation frequency can be controlled over a broad range by adjusting the frequency and voltage of the sinusoidal wave applied to the piezoelectric transducer.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Zhuo Chen, Xiaoming Liu, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: The paper introduces a wearable navigation device integrating semantic visual SLAM and a powerful mobile computing platform, providing real-time feedback of environmental information to visually impaired individuals. Testing shows the system performs well on a wearable navigation device.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Dan Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Pengyun Li, Xiaoqing Tang, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: This paper presented a micronewton force-controlled two-finger microhand with a soft magnetic end-effector for stable grasping, showing great potential in force-controlled manipulation in biological and industrial micromanipulation.
Article
Robotics
Pengyun Li, Xiaoming Liu, Dan Liu, Xiaoqing Tang, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: This study presents an automated 8-DOF alignment system assisted by computer vision for the alignment and bonding of PDMS multi-layer microfluidic devices. Experimental results show high alignment accuracy and short bonding time, indicating great potential for development.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Xiaoqing Tang, Xiaoming Liu, Pengyun Li, Dan Liu, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: In this study, cell stiffness as a label-free biomarker for diagnosing and sorting cells at the single-cell level was evaluated using integrated magnetic tweezers on a microfluidic device. Two motion modes for magnetic beads under pulsed electromagnetic fields were proposed, demonstrating the rationality of the motion mode setting. The proposed method was deemed dependable for measuring Young's modulus of cells and showed potential for future applications in the efficient and flexible measurement of biomechanical properties.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pengyun Li, Xiaoming Liu, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: This study proposed a new method for characterizing cell mechanical properties by analyzing the dynamic behavior of cells as they pass through multiple constrictions. Experimental results showed a decrease in passage time and an increase in dynamic deformability as cells passed through multiple constrictions. The deformability increase rate of HeLa cells was eight times higher than that of MEF cells, and the weak correlation between the deformability increase rate and cell size suggests that this new method has the potential for cancer cell recognition.
Article
Acoustics
Ling Shu, Jinxing Shen, Xiaoming Liu
Summary: The HAAPE method, by constructing high and low-frequency operators, simultaneously extracts features from different frequency bands of time series, avoiding information loss. Successfully applied in fault diagnosis of rotating machinery from vibration signals, achieving high accuracy.
SHOCK AND VIBRATION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Xiaoqing Tang, Yuke Li, Xiaoming Liu, Dan Liu, Zhuo Chen, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: This paper presents an automated control and path planning method for magnetic microrobots based on computer vision. By using microscopic visual navigation, robust target tracking is achieved through PID-based closed-loop control combined with the Kalman filter, and intelligent obstacle avoidance control can be achieved using the dynamic window algorithm. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method performs well in complex environments, enabling precise control of magnetic microrobots to reach the target position.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Xiaoming Liu, Xiaoqing Tang, Zhuo Chen, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: Microfluidic devices based on passive hydrodynamics and uniform geometric design principle were proposed for arraying different quantities of cells. The trapping force was adjusted by modifying geometric parameters, and the procedure was monitored and automatized by computer vision technology. The experiments showed high success rates in arraying single, double, and triple cells, with no significant association between trapping quantity and cell survivability.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON AUTOMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuankai Dai, Xiaoming Liu, Rongyu Tang, Jiping He, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: In recent years, microfluidics has been crucial to the advancement of nerve regeneration research. Microfluidic devices accurately simulate the in vivo microenvironment for various research purposes such as analyzing growth inhibitory factors, screening drugs, evaluating nerve growth factors, and investigating neural injury and regeneration mechanisms. The platform enables precise control of cell behavior, such as neuron isolation, single-cell manipulation, neural patterning, and axon guidance, providing technical support for nerve regeneration.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Dan Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Pengyun Li, Xiaoqing Tang, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: This article presents an all-purpose magnetically driven micromanipulation system with designed contact and noncontact modes for industrial and biological applications. The system allows for high-precision and high-speed motions to grasp, release, and operate microtargets efficiently at the microscale.
IEEE-ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fengyu Liu, Xiaoming Liu, Qing Shi, Christopher Maffeo, Masaru Kojima, Lixin Dong, Aleksei Aksimentiev, Qiang Huang, Toshio Fukuda, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: The article discusses a stable tetrahedral DNA nanorobot that can undergo controlled conformational changes in response to the stimulation of a specific molecular biomarker, EpCAM. The nanorobot shows low cytotoxicity and target specificity, making it a promising tool for precise monitoring of EpCAM-positive cells.
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaoming Liu, Tao Yue, Masaru Kojima, Qiang Huang, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: Blood vessels play a key role in maintaining homeostasis in the human body, and the engineering of microvessels is a challenging task. Modular tissue engineering using a bottom-up approach may be an effective way to overcome this challenge.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOPRINTING
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Yuyang Li, Xiaoming Liu, Qiang Huang, Aaron T. Ohta, Tatsuo Arai
Summary: The integration of microfluidic devices and various actuation technologies has significantly advanced related fields in recent decades. Microbubbles are increasingly important in microfluidics due to their unique characteristics and specific responses to different energy sources and gas-liquid interactions. Effective bubble-based micromanipulation strategies have enabled non-invasive, selective, and precise operations at the microscale.
