Ultrastructure of a Mechanoreceptor of the Trichoid Sensilla of the Insect Nabis rugosus: Stimulus-Transmitting and Bio-Sensory Architecture.

This paper presents the ultrastructure morphology of Nabis rugosus trichoid sensilla using SEM and TEM data, along with a two-dimensional model of the trichoid sensilla developed in Amira software. The SEM images show the shape and scattering of the trichoid mechanosensilla over the N. rugosus flagellomere. The TEM images present the ultrastructural components, in which the hair rises from the socket via the joint membrane. The dendrite sheath is connected at the base of the hair shaft, surrounded by the lymph space and the socket septum. This dendrite sheath contains a tubular body with microtubules separated by the membrane (M) and granules (Gs). This study presents a model and simulation of the trichoid sensilla sensing mechanism, in which the hair deflects due to the application of external loading above it and presses the dendrite sheath attached to the hair base. The dendrite sheath is displaced by the applied force, transforming the transversal loading into a longitudinal deformation of the microtubules. Due to this longitudinal deformation, electric potential develops in the microtubule's core, and information is delivered to the brain through the axon. The sensilla's pivot point or point of rotation is presented, along with the relationship between the hair shaft length, the pivot point, and the electric potential distribution in the microtubules. This study's results can be used to develop ultra-sensitive, bioinspired sensors based on these ultrastructural components and their biomechanical studies.

Ultra-Morphology and Mechanical Function of the Trichoideum Sensillum in Nabis rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha).

The present study aims to investigate the morphological features of the antennal sensilla by using SEM and TEM. The construction of a 3D model of trichoideum sensillum using Amira software is presented in this paper. Five sensillum types, namely trichoideum, chaeticum, campaniformium, coeloconicum, and basiconicum, were recorded. This model exhibits the mechanosensillum components, including the embedded hair in a socket attached by the joint membrane and the dendrite connected to the hair base passing through the cuticle layers. TEM images present the dendrite way, micro-tubules inside the dendritic sheath, and terminal structure of the tubular dendrite body and so-called companion cells included in the receptor, e.g., tormogen and trichogen. The parameters noted for the external structure and ultrastructure of the mechano-receptor indicate that they are specific to a particular type of sensillum and would be useful in developing the model for a biosensor. Results show that bio-inspired sensors can be developed based on morphological and ultrastructural studies and to conduct mechanical studies on their components.

Rational Design Approach for Enhancing Higher-Mode Response of a Microcantilever in Vibro-Impacting Mode.

This paper proposes an approach for designing an efficient vibration energy harvester based on a vibro-impacting piezoelectric microcantilever with a geometric shape that has been rationally modified in accordance with results of dynamic optimization. The design goal is to increase the amplitudes of higher-order vibration modes induced during the vibro-impact response of the piezoelectric transducer, thereby providing a means to improve the energy conversion efficiency and power output. A rational configuration of the energy harvester is proposed and it is demonstrated that the new design retains essential modal characteristics of the optimal microcantilever structures, further providing the added benefit of less costly fabrication. The effects of structural dynamics associated with advantageous exploitation of higher vibration modes are analyzed experimentally by means of laser vibrometry as well as numerically via transient simulations of microcantilever response to random excitation. Electrical characterization results indicate that the proposed harvester outperforms its conventional counterpart (based on the microcantilever of the constant cross-section) in terms of generated electrical output. Reported results may serve for the development of impact-type micropower generators with harvesting performance that is enhanced by virtue of self-excitation of large intensity higher-order mode responses when the piezoelectric transducer is subjected to relatively low-frequency excitation with strongly variable vibration magnitudes.

Vibro-Shock Dynamics Analysis of a Tandem Low Frequency Resonator-High Frequency Piezoelectric Energy Harvester.

Frequency up-conversion is a promising technique for energy harvesting in low frequency environments. In this approach, abundantly available environmental motion energy is absorbed by a Low Frequency Resonator (LFR) which transfers it to a high frequency Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester (PVEH) via impact or magnetic coupling. As a result, a decaying alternating output signal is produced, that can later be collected using a battery or be transferred directly to the electric load. The paper reports an impact-coupled frequency up-converting tandem setup with different LFR to PVEH natural frequency ratios and varying contact point location along the length of the harvester. RMS power output of different frequency up-converting tandems with optimal resistive values was found from the transient analysis revealing a strong relation between power output and LFR-PVEH natural frequency ratio as well as impact point location. Simulations revealed that higher power output is obtained from a higher natural frequency ratio between LFR and PVEH, an increase of power output by one order of magnitude for a doubled natural frequency ratio and up to 150% difference in power output from different impact point locations. The theoretical results were experimentally verified.

Segmentation of a Vibro-Shock Cantilever-Type Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Operating in Higher Transverse Vibration Modes.

The piezoelectric transduction mechanism is a common vibration-to-electric energy harvesting approach. Piezoelectric energy harvesters are typically mounted on a vibrating host structure, whereby alternating voltage output is generated by a dynamic strain field. A design target in this case is to match the natural frequency of the harvester to the ambient excitation frequency for the device to operate in resonance mode, thus significantly increasing vibration amplitudes and, as a result, energy output. Other fundamental vibration modes have strain nodes, where the dynamic strain field changes sign in the direction of the cantilever length. The paper reports on a dimensionless numerical transient analysis of a cantilever of a constant cross-section and an optimally-shaped cantilever with the objective to accurately predict the position of a strain node. Total effective strain produced by both cantilevers segmented at the strain node is calculated via transient analysis and compared to the strain output produced by the cantilevers segmented at strain nodes obtained from modal analysis, demonstrating a 7% increase in energy output. Theoretical results were experimentally verified by using open-circuit voltage values measured for the cantilevers segmented at optimal and suboptimal segmentation lines.

Identification of rheological properties of human body surface tissue.

According to World Health Organization obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. It has tripled since the 1980s and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at an alarming rate, especially among children. There are number of devices that act as a prevention measure to boost person's motivation for physical activity and its levels. The placement of these devices is not restricted thus the measurement errors that appear because of the body rheology, clothes, etc. cannot be eliminated. The main objective of this work is to introduce a tool that can be applied directly to process measured accelerations so human body surface tissue induced errors can be reduced. Both the modeling and experimental techniques are proposed to identify body tissue rheological properties and prelate them to body mass index. Multi-level computational model composed from measurement device model and human body surface tissue rheological model is developed. Human body surface tissue induced inaccuracies can increase the magnitude of measured accelerations up to 34% when accelerations of the magnitude of up to 27 m/s(2) are measured. Although the timeframe of those disruptions are short - up to 0.2 s - they still result in increased overall measurement error.

Identification of capacitive MEMS accelerometer structure parameters for human body dynamics measurements.

Due to their small size, low weight, low cost and low energy consumption, MEMS accelerometers have achieved great commercial success in recent decades. The aim of this research work is to identify a MEMS accelerometer structure for human body dynamics measurements. Photogrammetry was used in order to measure possible maximum accelerations of human body parts and the bandwidth of the digital acceleration signal. As the primary structure the capacitive accelerometer configuration is chosen in such a way that sensing part measures on all three axes as it is 3D accelerometer and sensitivity on each axis is equal. Hill climbing optimization was used to find the structure parameters. Proof-mass displacements were simulated for all the acceleration range that was given by the optimization problem constraints. The final model was constructed in Comsol Multiphysics. Eigenfrequencies were calculated and model's response was found, when vibration stand displacement data was fed into the model as the base excitation law. Model output comparison with experimental data was conducted for all excitation frequencies used during the experiments.

Polycarbonate as an elasto-plastic material model for simulation of the microstructure hot imprint process.

The thermal imprint process of polymer micro-patterning is widely applied in areas such as manufacturing of optical parts, solar energy, bio-mechanical devices and chemical chips. Polycarbonate (PC), as an amorphous polymer, is often used in thermoforming processes because of its good replication characteristics. In order to obtain replicas of the best quality, the imprint parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, time, etc.) must be determined. Therefore finite element model of the hot imprint process of lamellar periodical microstructure into PC has been created using COMSOL Multiphysics. The mathematical model of the hot imprint process includes three steps: heating, imprinting and demolding. The material properties of amorphous PC strongly depend on the imprint temperature and loading pressure. Polycarbonate was modelled as an elasto-plastic material, since it was analyzed below the glass transition temperature. The hot imprint model was solved using the heat transfer and the solid stress-strain application modes with thermal contact problem between the mold and polycarbonate. It was used for the evaluation of temperature and stress distributions in the polycarbonate during the hot imprint process. The quality of the replica, by means of lands filling ratio, was determined as well.

Numerical Analysis of Dynamic Effects of a Nonlinear Vibro-Impact Process for Enhancing the Reliability of Contact-Type MEMS Devices.

This paper reports on numerical modeling and simulation of a generalized contact-type MEMS device having large potential in various micro-sensor/actuator applications, which are currently limited because of detrimental effects of the contact bounce phenomenon that is still not fully explained and requires comprehensive treatment. The proposed 2-D finite element model encompasses cantilever microstructures operating in a vacuum and impacting on a viscoelastic support. The presented numerical analysis focuses on the first three flexural vibration modes and their influence on dynamic characteristics. Simulation results demonstrate the possibility to use higher modes and their particular points for enhancing MEMS performance and reliability through reduction of vibro-impact process duration.