Controlling spatial and rotational movement of small, acoustically levitated particles by phasing and rotating piezoelectric transducer arrays

S. Yosifov, I. Bucher, E. Uzhansky, Y. Zinger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Acoustic levitation is a technique that utilizes sound waves to hold particles in a levitated state within fluids. An ultrasonic array of transducers creates standing waves in an enclosed domain, giving rise to nonlinear effect, holding the particles at designated locations, that are potential wells. To move the levitated particles in a designated trajectory in 3D space, previous works controlled the relative phase of the transducers in a pre-computed manner such that the acoustic field deforms, and particles move to new equilibrium points. The latter is slow and hard to implement. An alternative approach that manipulates the position of a reflector in front the transducer array was suggested. It is shown that by tilting and moving the reflecting plate, one can deform the acoustic field and move the levitated particles quickly and effectively. To verify and illustrate the method, a simulation using Boundary elements was carried out in COMSOL, relating displacements of the levitated particle to motion of the reflector. The latter continuously moved the potential wells. The effect of moving the reflector is verified in an experiment using a Schlieren imaging system with which the deformation of the acoustic field is visible.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of ISMA 2024 - International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering and USD 2024 - International Conference on Uncertainty in Structural Dynamics
EditorsW. Desmet, B. Pluymers, D. Moens, J. del Fresno Zarza
Pages2335-2345
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9789082893175
StatePublished - 2024
Event31st International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering, ISMA 2024 and 10th International Conference on Uncertainty in Structural Dynamics, USD 2024 - Leuven, Belgium
Duration: 9 Sep 202411 Sep 2024

Publication series

NameProceedings of ISMA 2024 - International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering and USD 2024 - International Conference on Uncertainty in Structural Dynamics

Conference

Conference31st International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering, ISMA 2024 and 10th International Conference on Uncertainty in Structural Dynamics, USD 2024
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityLeuven
Period9/09/2411/09/24

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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