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Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design

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A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2014) | Viewed by 97245

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Prof. Dr. Slawomir Wiak

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Institute of Mechatronics and Information Systems, Technical University of Lodz, Stefanowskiego 18/22, Lodz, Poland
Interests: MEMS; mechatronics; computer modeling; optimization; CAD
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Lidija Petkovska

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Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Rugjer Boshkovik bb. PO Box 574, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia
Interests: CAD, numerical methods, computer modeling and simulation, optimization methodology, electromagnetic fields computations, electromagnetic devices

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 16^th International Symposium on Electromagnetic Fields in Mechatronics, Electrical and Electronic Engineering – ISEF'2013 will be held in Ohrid (Macedonia), from September 12^th to 14^th 2013 (http://isef2013.feit.ukim.edu.mk/). Since ISEF started in Warsaw (Poland), over the decades it has gained a prominent position in the electromagnetic community worldwide. We proudly state the most important fact that this conference gathers a relatively small, but strongly connected and faithful group of outstanding specialists in applied electromagnetism, whose first and main objective is the practical application of sophisticated Science

In this special issue, a number of peer-reviewed selected papers presented at ISEF'2013, will be published. Papers addressing a wide range of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS), dealing with phenomena, modeling, design and application are sought. The special issue aims to disseminate the recent advances of MEMS used either as sensors or actuators, the novel theoretical approaches, as well as practical applications. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to MEMS operating in a wide range of physical and chemical domains, electrostatics, mechanics, piezo-electrics, thermodynamics, electromagnetics, optics and biomedicine.

Prof. Dr. Slawomir Wiak
Prof. Dr. Lidija Petkovska
Guest Editors

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

1713 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Indoor Environment on Path Loss in Body Area Networks

by Sławomir Hausman and Łukasz Januszkiewicz

Sensors 2014, 14(10), 19551-19560; https://doi.org/10.3390/s141019551 - 20 Oct 2014

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 6241

Abstract

In this paper the influence of an example indoor environment on narrowband radio channel path loss for body area networks operating around 2.4 GHz is investigated using computer simulations and on-site measurements. In contrast to other similar studies, the simulation model included both a numerical human body phantom and its environment—room walls, floor and ceiling. As an example, radio signal attenuation between two different configurations of transceivers with dipole antennas placed in a direct vicinity of a human body (on-body scenario) is analyzed by computer simulations for several types of reflecting environments. In the analyzed case the propagation environments comprised a human body and office room walls. As a reference environment for comparison, free space with only a conducting ground plane, modelling a steel mesh reinforced concrete floor, was chosen. The transmitting and receiving antennas were placed in two on-body configurations chest–back and chest–arm. Path loss vs. frequency simulation results obtained using Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method and a multi-tissue anthropomorphic phantom were compared to results of measurements taken with a vector network analyzer with a human subject located in an average-size empty cuboidal office room. A comparison of path loss values in different environments variants gives some qualitative and quantitative insight into the adequacy of simplified indoor environment model for the indoor body area network channel representation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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1639 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Magnetic Field-Assisted Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes for Sensing Applications

by Grzegorz Raniszewski, Marcin Pyc and Zbigniew Kolacinski

Sensors 2014, 14(10), 18474-18483; https://doi.org/10.3390/s141018474 - 07 Oct 2014

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5376

Abstract

One of the most effective ways of synthesizing carbon nanotubes is the arc discharge method. This paper describes a system supported by a magnetic field which can be generated by an external coil. An electric arc between two electrodes is stabilized by the magnetic field following mass flux stabilization from the anode to the cathode. In this work four constructions are compared. Different configurations of cathode and coils are calculated and presented. Exemplary results are discussed. The paper describes attempts of magnetic field optimization for different configurations of electrodes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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3133 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feasibility of Frequency-Modulated Wireless Transmission for a Multi-Purpose MEMS-Based Accelerometer

by Alessandro Sabato and Maria Q. Feng

Sensors 2014, 14(9), 16563-16585; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140916563 - 05 Sep 2014

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7459

Abstract

Recent advances in the Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology have made wireless MEMS accelerometers an attractive tool for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of civil engineering structures. To date, sensors’ low sensitivity and accuracy—especially at very low frequencies—have imposed serious limitations for their application in monitoring large-sized structures. Conventionally, the MEMS sensor’s analog signals are converted to digital signals before radio-frequency (RF) wireless transmission. The conversion can cause a low sensitivity to the important low-frequency and low-amplitude signals. To overcome this difficulty, the authors have developed a MEMS accelerometer system, which converts the sensor output voltage to a frequency-modulated signal before RF transmission. This is achieved by using a Voltage to Frequency Conversion (V/F) instead of the conventional Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC). In this paper, a prototype MEMS accelerometer system is presented, which consists of a transmitter and receiver circuit boards. The former is equipped with a MEMS accelerometer, a V/F converter and a wireless RF transmitter, while the latter contains an RF receiver and a F/V converter for demodulating the signal. The efficacy of the MEMS accelerometer system in measuring low-frequency and low-amplitude dynamic responses is demonstrated through extensive laboratory tests and experiments on a flow-loop pipeline. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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3239 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unbalance Response Analysis and Experimental Validation of an Ultra High Speed Motor-Generator for Microturbine Generators Considering Balancing

by Do-Kwan Hong, Dae-Suk Joo, Byung-Chul Woo, Dae-Hyun Koo and Chan-Woo Ahn

Sensors 2014, 14(9), 16117-16127; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140916117 - 29 Aug 2014

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7971

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to deal with the rotordynamics of the rotor of an ultra-high speed PM type synchronous motor-generator for a 500 W rated micro gas turbine generator. This paper introduces dynamic analysis, and experiments on the motor-generator. The focus is placed on an analytical approach considering the mechanical dynamic problems. It is essential to deal with dynamic stability at ultra-high speeds. Unbalance response analysis is performed by calculating the unbalance with and without balancing using a balancing machine. Critical speed analysis is performed to determine the operating speed with sufficient separation margin. The unbalance response analysis is compared with the experimental results considering the balancing grade (ISO 1940-1) and predicted vibration displacement with and without balancing. Based on these results, a high-speed motor-generator was successfully developed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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6161 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dependence of the Contact Resistance on the Design of Stranded Conductors

by Youcef Zeroukhi, Ewa Napieralska-Juszczak, Guillaume Vega, Krzysztof Komeza, Fabrice Morganti and Slawomir Wiak

Sensors 2014, 14(8), 13925-13942; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140813925 - 30 Jul 2014

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 9190

Abstract

During the manufacturing process multi-strand conductors are subject to compressive force and rotation moments. The current distribution in the multi-strand conductors is not uniform and is controlled by the transverse resistivity. This is mainly determined by the contact resistance at the strand crossovers and inter-strand contact resistance. The surface layer properties, and in particular the crystalline structure and degree of oxidation, are key parameters in determining the transverse resistivity. The experimental set-ups made it possible to find the dependence of contact resistivity as a function of continuous working stresses and cable design. A study based on measurements and numerical simulation is made to identify the contact resistivity functions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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1352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Optimal Configuration form Redundant MEMS Inertial Sensors Based on the Orthogonal Rotation Method

by Jianhua Cheng, Jinlu Dong, Rene Jr. Landry and Daidai Chen

Sensors 2014, 14(8), 13661-13678; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140813661 - 29 Jul 2014

Cited by 43 | Viewed by 6660

Abstract

In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) navigation systems, an orthogonal rotation method-based nine-gyro redundant MEMS configuration is presented. By analyzing the accuracy and reliability characteristics of an inertial navigation system (INS), criteria for redundant configuration design are introduced. Then the orthogonal rotation configuration is formed through a two-rotation of a set of orthogonal inertial sensors around a space vector. A feasible installation method is given for the real engineering realization of this proposed configuration. The performances of the novel configuration and another six configurations are comprehensively compared and analyzed. Simulation and experimentation are also conducted, and the results show that the orthogonal rotation configuration has the best reliability, accuracy and fault detection and isolation (FDI) performance when the number of gyros is nine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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2837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Smart Elasto-Magneto-Electric (EME) Sensors for Stress Monitoring of Steel Cables: Design Theory and Experimental Validation

by Ru Zhang, Yuanfeng Duan, Siu Wing Or and Yang Zhao

Sensors 2014, 14(8), 13644-13660; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140813644 - 28 Jul 2014

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 9057

Abstract

An elasto-magnetic (EM) and magneto-electric (ME) effect based elasto-magneto-electric (EME) sensor has been proposed recently by the authors for stress monitoring of steel cables with obvious superiorities over traditional elasto-magnetic sensors. For design optimization and engineering application of the EME sensor, the design theory is interpreted with a developed model taking into account the EM coupling effect and ME coupling effect. This model is able to approximate the magnetization changes that a steel structural component undergoes when subjected to excitation magnetic field and external stress, and to simulate the induced ME voltages of the ME sensing unit located in the magnetization area. A full-scale experiment is then carried out to verify the model and to calibrate the EME sensor as a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) tool to monitor the cable stress. The experimental results agree well with the simulation results using the developed model. The proposed EME sensor proves to be feasible for stress monitoring of steel cables with high sensitivity, fast response, and ease of installation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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1100 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Segmentation of Ring-Shaped NdFeB Magnets with Parallel Magnetization on Cylindrical Actuators

by Paulo Roberto Eckert, Evandro Claiton Goltz and Aly Ferreira Flores Filho

Sensors 2014, 14(7), 13070-13087; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140713070 - 21 Jul 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6799

Abstract

This work analyses the effects of segmentation followed by parallel magnetization of ring-shaped NdFeB permanent magnets used in slotless cylindrical linear actuators. The main purpose of the work is to evaluate the effects of that segmentation on the performance of the actuator and to present a general overview of the influence of parallel magnetization by varying the number of segments and comparing the results with ideal radially magnetized rings. The analysis is first performed by modelling mathematically the radial and circumferential components of magnetization for both radial and parallel magnetizations, followed by an analysis carried out by means of the 3D finite element method. Results obtained from the models are validated by measuring radial and tangential components of magnetic flux distribution in the air gap on a prototype which employs magnet rings with eight segments each with parallel magnetization. The axial force produced by the actuator was also measured and compared with the results obtained from numerical models. Although this analysis focused on a specific topology of cylindrical actuator, the observed effects on the topology could be extended to others in which surface-mounted permanent magnets are employed, including rotating electrical machines. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synchronous Motor with Hybrid Permanent Magnets on the Rotor

by Barbara Slusarek, Dariusz Kapelski, Ludwik Antal, Pawel Zalas and Maciej Gwoździewicz

Sensors 2014, 14(7), 12425-12436; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140712425 - 10 Jul 2014

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 6435

Abstract

Powder metallurgy allows designers of electric motors to implement new magnetic circuit structures. A relatively new concept is the use of a magnet system consisting of various types of magnets on one rotor, for example sintered and bonded magnets. This concept has been applied to the design and manufacture of the four-pole rotor of a synchronous motor with 400 W power and a rotational speed of 1500 rpm. In this motor, the stator of an asynchronous motor type Sh 71-4B is applied. The application of the new construction of the rotor resulted in an increase in motor efficiency and power factor compared to an asynchronous motor with the same volume. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Design, Fabrication and Characterization of a Transparent Atom Chip

by Ho-Chiao Chuang, Chia-Shiuan Huang, Hung-Pin Chen, Chi-Sheng Huang and Yu-Hsin Lin

Sensors 2014, 14(6), 10292-10305; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140610292 - 11 Jun 2014

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 5622

Abstract

This study describes the design and fabrication of transparent atom chips for atomic physics experiments. A fabrication process was developed to define the wire patterns on a transparent glass substrate to create the desired magnetic field for atom trapping experiments. An area on the chip was reserved for the optical access, so that the laser light can penetrate directly through the glass substrate for the laser cooling process. Furthermore, since the thermal conductivity of the glass substrate is poorer than other common materials for atom chip substrate, for example silicon, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride. Thus, heat dissipation copper blocks are designed on the front and back of the glass substrate to improve the electrical current conduction. The testing results showed that a maximum burnout current of 2 A was measured from the wire pattern (with a width of 100 μm and a height of 20 μm) without any heat dissipation design and it can increase to 2.5 A with a heat dissipation design on the front side of the atom chips. Therefore, heat dissipation copper blocks were designed and fabricated on the back of the glass substrate just under the wire patterns which increases the maximum burnout current to 4.5 A. Moreover, a maximum burnout current of 6 A was achieved when the entire backside glass substrate was recessed and a thicker copper block was electroplated, which meets most requirements of atomic physics experiments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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781 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics Verification of an Independently Controllable Electromagnetic Spherical Motor

by Shuhei Maeda, Katsuhiro Hirata and Noboru Niguchi

Sensors 2014, 14(6), 10072-10080; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140610072 - 10 Jun 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5219

Abstract

We have been developing electromagnetic spherical actuators capable of three-degree-of-freedom rotation. However, these actuators require complex control to realize simultaneous triaxial drive, because rotation around one axis interferes with rotation around another. In this paper, we propose a new three-degree-of-freedom actuator where 3-axes rotation can be controlled easily. The basic structure and the operating principle of the actuator are described. Then the torque characteristics and the dynamic characteristics are computed by employing 3D-FEM and the effectiveness of this actuator is clarified. Finally, the experimental results using the prototype of the actuator are shown to verify the dynamic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Combined Experimental and Finite Element Analysis Method for the Estimation of Eddy-Current Loss in NdFeB Magnets

by Radu Fratila, Abdelkader Benabou, Abdelmounaïm Tounzi and Jean-Claude Mipo

Sensors 2014, 14(5), 8505-8512; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140508505 - 14 May 2014

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5549

Abstract

NdFeB permanent magnets (PMs) are widely used in high performance electrical machines, but their relatively high conductivity subjects them to eddy current losses that can lead to magnetization loss. The Finite Element (FE) method is generally used to quantify the eddy current loss of PMs, but it remains quite difficult to validate the accuracy of the results with complex devices. In this paper, an experimental test device is used in order to extract the eddy current losses that are then compared with those of a 3D FE model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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678 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Micro-Step Voltage-Fed Actuator with a Novel Stepper Motor for Automobile AGS Systems

by Se-Hyun Rhyu, Jeong-Jong Lee, Bon-Gwan Gu, Byung-Dae Choi and Jung-Hyuk Lim

Sensors 2014, 14(5), 8026-8036; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140508026 - 05 May 2014

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8536

Abstract

This paper presents an improved micro-step voltage-fed actuator for an automobile active grill shutter (AGS) system. A novel structured stepper motor, which contains both the main and auxiliary teeth in the stator, is proposed for the actuator. In a normal permanent magnet (PM) motor coils are generally wound on all the stator teeth, however, in the proposed motor, the winding is only on the main teeth. Because of the absence of coils in the auxiliary teeth, the proposed stepper motor possesses the following advantages: simple structure, lighter weight, smaller volume, and less time consumption. The unique auxiliary poles in the stepper motor supply the flux path to increase the step resolution even without any coils. The characteristics of the proposed stepper motor were investigated using finite element analysis. In particular, the effect of the magnetization distribution of the PM on the motor performance was investigated during the analysis. Cogging torque, which causes noise and vibration issues, was minimized by the tooth-shape optimization. In addition, a micro-step voltage-fed algorithm was implemented for a high-resolution position control. By employing a current close to a sine wave using space vector pulse-width modulation, a high-quality current waveform with a high resolution was obtained. Finally, the proposed prototype was fabricated, and the cogging torque, back-electromotive force, and current characteristics were measured by mounting the prototype on the AGS system. Both the analysis and experimental results validate the performance improvement from the proposed motor and its possible application for the flap control of the AGS system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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722 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modeling and Manufacturing of a Micromachined Magnetic Sensor Using the CMOS Process without Any Post-Process

by Jian-Zhi Tseng, Chyan-Chyi Wu and Ching-Liang Dai

Sensors 2014, 14(4), 6722-6733; https://doi.org/10.3390/s140406722 - 11 Apr 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6205

Abstract

The modeling and fabrication of a magnetic microsensor based on a magneto-transistor were presented. The magnetic sensor is fabricated by the commercial 0.18 mm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process without any post-process. The finite element method (FEM) software Sentaurus TCAD is utilized to analyze the electrical properties and carriers motion path of the magneto-transistor. A readout circuit is used to amplify the voltage difference of the bases into the output voltage. Experiments show that the sensitivity of the magnetic sensor is 354 mV/T at the supply current of 4 mA. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Components of Mechatronics and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) – Modeling and Design)

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