Effect of beta-PVDF Piezoelectric Transducers' Positioning on the Acoustic Streaming Flows

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Catarino, SO (Author) Other; Miranda, JM (Author) FEUP; Minas, G (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Micromachines

Vol. 5

Pages: 654-666

ISSN: 2072-666X

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-X0P

DOI: 10.3390/mi5030654

Abstract (EN): This paper reports the numerical and experimental analysis of the acoustic streaming effect in a fluidic domain. The actuation of a piezoelectric transducer generates acoustic waves that propagate to the fluids, generating pressure gradients that induce the flow. The number and positioning of the transducers affect the pressure gradients and, consequently, the resultant flow profile. Two actuation conditions were considered: (1) acoustic streaming generated by a 28 mu m thick beta-poly(vinylidene fluoride) (beta-PVDF) piezoelectric transducer placed asymmetrically relative to the fluidic domain and (2) acoustic streaming generated by two 28 mu m thick beta-PVDF piezoelectric transducers placed perpendicularly to each other. The transducers were fixed to the lower left corner of a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cuvette and were actuated with a 24 Vpp and 34.2 MHz sinusoidal voltage. The results show that the number of transducers and their positioning affects the shape and number of recirculation areas in the acoustic streaming flows. The obtained global flows show great potential for mixing and pumping, being an alternative to the previous geometries studied by the authors, namely, a single transducer placed symmetrically under a fluidic domain.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 13