Ionic electroactive polymer for organs-on-chip applications

An organ-on-chip (OoC) is a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device that aims to recapitulate in-vitro the physiology of the smallest functional unit of an organ in order to perform drug analysis or study disease models. OoCs are very complex systems that require actuation and sensing capabilities within controlled and delicate environment. The...

The Advances in Conversion Techniques in Triboelectric Energy Harvesting: A Review

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a new transducer utilizing contact electrification and electrostatic induction to transform mechanical energy into electric energy. Due to its high energy density and flexibility, it can be employed to make electronic devices self-powered by harvesting ambient mechanical energy in many application...

Sparse 2-D PZT-on-PCB Arrays With Density Tapering

Two-dimensional (2-D) arrays offer volumetric imaging capabilities without the need for probe translation or rotation. A sparse array with elements seeded in a tapering spiral pattern enables one-to-one connection to an ultrasound machine, thus allowing flexible transmission and reception strategies. To test the concept of sparse spiral array...

Large Matrix Array Aperture for 3D Vascular Imaging Capture

Three-dimensional ultrasound has initially been used to address volumetric imaging for diagnostic purposes and represents the leading-edge technological orientation in both transducer and IC (integrated circuit) architecture and design. However, new applications are coming up like biomarker measurements, preoperative navigation, real time...

Comparison of dynamic characteristics of active sensing methods of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC)

Limitations of conventional actuators and sensors in small-scaled and complex devices have diverted the researches' attentions towards smart material transducers such as ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs). In addition to actuation capabilities, IPMCs generate voltage when subjected to mechanical deformation. Utilization of IPMCs as...

Sensing and self-sensing actuation methods for Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite (IPMC): A review

Ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMC) are smart material transducers that bend in response to low-voltage stimuli and generate voltage in response to bending. IPMCs are mechanically compliant, simple in construction, and easy to cut into desired shape. This allows the designing of novel sensing and actuation systems, e.g., for soft and bio...

Low-cost smart sensor interfacing