Highly Efficient Acoustic Micro-Actuators

Abstract

Lab-on-a-Chip technology has become a widespread research area today, because of its manyadvantages. Complex clinical tests made by specialized operators in laboratories with detailed equipment can easily be performed on a single chip (Chip) named LOC. Micro -actuators are the most important parts of LOC devices. Acoustic actuators stand out between various micro-actuation systems since it does not require a direct physical contact with the stimulus. It is also more cost-effective, easier to use, and has less calibration problems than optical actuation methods.In this research, it is aimed to increase the working efficiency of surface acoustic wave (SAW) generators. Conventional SAW generators used for mass actuation have equal nail and space dimensions. In this study, a new perspective was introduced to the classical design and the electrode designs were made differently. The ratio of 1: 1 for normal systems is increased up to 1: 7 for the new design. With this new device design, horizontal liquid translation experiments have been carried out. Water droplets placed in front of the SAW resonators were tested to determine the speed of movement of the liquid mass and final destination they arrive. In order to obtain maximum efficiency in liquid repellency tests, the surfaces were covered with hydrophobic material so that liquid droplets do not spread to the surface and remain as a whole. Experimental results have proved that the goal of achieving more resonance on the experimantel surface was achieved with the new design. As a result of increasing the width of the SAW resonator electrodes, a 60% increase in the system's liquid mass thrust capacity has been achieved. This result has opened the way for more efficient acoustic liquid pushers. This makes it possible to design and fabricate more efficient micropumps in the LOC devices to increase the overall device performance by running the tests faster and more energy efficiently. Key words: Acoustic, actuator, LOC