Growth Characteristic Analysis of Haematococcus pluvialis in a Microfluidic Chip Using Digital in-Line Holographic Flow Cytometry.

In order to obtain high yield of astaxanthin, a high-value compound with ultrastrong antioxidant capacity, it is necessary to identify the growth characteristics (biomass, morphology, and size) of Haematococcus pluvialis. The current detection methods have the disadvantages of labor-consuming operation or complicated measurement system. It is an urgent need to explore a simple and cost-effective method for the detection of H. pluvialis with large size distribution during its growth period. In this work, a digital in-line holographic flow cytometry using a linear array sensor is proposed to measure the growth characteristics of H. pluvialis in a two-dimensional (2-D) hydrodynamic focusing microfluidic chip. Based on the modified angular spectrum method, the distorting holograms caused by the asynchrony of sample flow velocity and acquisition speed of the linear array sensor were rectified and reconstructed. In addition, the depth-of-focus of the imaging system were digitally extended to cover the entire depth of the microfluidic channel for optimized imaging quality. We have utilized the proposed method to statistically investigate the biomass, morphology and size of H. pluvialis under different culture conditions and growth durations.

Optofluidic refractive index sensor based on asymmetric diffraction.

A novel optofluidic refracrtive index (RI) sensor was proposed based on asymmetric Fraunhofer diffraction. In-plane optofluidic lens, light source, slit, diffraction pattern visualization zone and optical path were integrated into the microfluidic networks to avoid the manual alignment of the optical components as well as to reduce the cost of external bulky components. Unlike the conventional RI sensor, this device visualizes the bulk refractive index change of the liquid through a diffraction image, which is readily read-out for clinical diagnosis right at the point-of-care or on-site security check. In the experiment, the device can measure a RI change of as low as ~10-5 RIU. A low noise-equivalent detection limit (NEDL) of ~10-6 refractive index unit (RIU) and high sensitivity of ~1.1 × 104/RIU were achieved. The new device is practical and suitable to be extended for high throughput applications by simultaneously reading multiple chips with an 2D-array image sensor.

High-precision displacement measurement method for three degrees of freedom-compliant mechanisms based on computer micro-vision.

A practical method for the high-precision displacement measurements of the three degrees of freedom-compliant mechanisms based on computer micro-vision is proposed. The method consists of two steps. In the first step, the candidate pixels are selected using a ring projection transform matching approach. In the second step, the exact location is determined by an improved pseudo-Zernike moment method. The setup of the micro-vision system is also introduced. A series of simulations is carried out and the results show that the proposed algorithm enjoys extremely high precision and robustness in the presence of image translations and rotations. Finally, a micro-vision system and a laser interferometer measurement (LIM) system are built up to validate and compare the actual performances of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can obtain a high accuracy and shows higher operability and stability than the LIM system. Moreover, the measuring accuracy can reach a pixel.

Design of a 3DOF XYZ Bi-Directional Motion Platform Based on Z-Shaped Flexure Hinges.

This paper presents a design of a 3DOF XYZ bi-directional motion platform based on Z-shaped flexure hinges. In the presented platform, bridge-type mechanisms and Z-shaped flexure hinges are adopted to amplify its output displacement. Bi-direction motion along the X-axis and Y-axis follows the famous differential moving principle DMP, and the bi-directional motion along the Z-axis is realized by using the reverse arrangement of the Z-shaped flexure hinges along the X-axis and Y-axis. Statics analysis of the proposed platform is carried out by the energy method, compliance matrix method, and force balance principle. Meanwhile, the Lagrange method is used to analyze the dynamics of the platform. A series of simulations are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design. The simulation results show that the average displacements of the platform in the XYZ-axis are ±125.58 µm, ±126.37 µm and ±568.45 µm, respectively.

Nonlinear Hysteresis Modeling of Piezoelectric Actuators Using a Generalized Bouc⁻Wen Model.

Hysteresis behaviors exist in piezoelectric ceramics actuators (PCAs), which degrade the positioning accuracy badly. The classical Bouc⁻Wen (CB⁻W) model is mainly used for describing rate-independent hysteresis behaviors. However, it cannot characterize the rate-dependent hysteresis precisely. In this paper, a generalized Bouc⁻Wen (GB⁻W) model with relaxation functions is developed for both rate-independent and rate-dependent hysteresis behaviors of piezoelectric actuators. Meanwhile, the nonlinear least squares method through MATLAB/Simulink is adopted to identify the parameters of hysteresis models. To demonstrate the validity of the developed model, a number of experiments based on a 1-DOF compliant mechanism were conducted to characterize hysteresis behaviors. Comparisons of experiments and simulations show that the developed model can describe rate-dependent and rate-independent hysteresis more accurately than the classical Bouc⁻Wen model. The results demonstrate that the developed model is effective and useful.

A Modified Duhem Model for Rate-Dependent Hysteresis Behaviors.

Hysteresis behaviors are inherent characteristics of piezoelectric ceramic actuators. The classical Duhem model (CDM) as a popular hysteresis model has been widely used, but cannot precisely describe rate-dependent hysteresis behaviors at high-frequency and high-amplitude excitations. To describe such behaviors more precisely, this paper presents a modified Duhem model (MDM) by introducing trigonometric functions based on the analysis of the existing experimental data. The MDM parameters are also identified by using the nonlinear least squares method. Six groups of experiments with different frequencies or amplitudes are conducted to evaluate the MDM performance. The research results demonstrate that the MDM can more precisely characterize the rate-dependent hysteresis behaviors comparing with the CDM at high-frequency and high-amplitude excitations.

An enhanced Bouc-Wen model for characterizing rate-dependent hysteresis of piezoelectric actuators.

A classical Bouc-Wen model is widely applied in hysteresis modeling and compensation for piezoelectric ceramic actuators. However, the classical Bouc-Wen model cannot characterize rate-dependent hysteresis under excitations at high frequencies precisely. In this paper, an enhanced Bouc-Wen model is developed by introducing the frequency of input voltage based on the classical Bouc-Wen model. A number of experiments were conducted to characterize the rate-dependent hysteresis of piezoelectric ceramic actuators under sinusoidal excitations at a range of 1-150 Hz. The measured data were used to demonstrate the validity of the developed model. A method of parameter estimation based on the Matlab/Simulink parameter estimation tool is adopted to identify the parameters of models. The comparisons of experiments and simulations show that the developed model can describe rate-dependent hysteresis more accurately than the classical Bouc-Wen model. The modeling errors of the developed model were decreased by nearly 75% compared with that of the classical Bouc-Wen model. The root-mean-square error of the developed model is controlled in 0.1719 µm.

A generalized Prandtl-Ishlinskii model for characterizing the rate-independent and rate-dependent hysteresis of piezoelectric actuators.

In this paper, a generalized hysteresis model is developed to describe both rate-independent and rate-dependent hysteresis in piezoelectric actuators. Based on the classical Prandtl-Ishlinskii (P-I) model, the developed model adds a quadratic polynomial and makes other small changes. When it is used to describe rate-independent hysteresis, the parameters of the model are constants, which can be identified by self-adaptive particle swarm optimization. The effectiveness of this rate-independent modified P-I model is demonstrated by comparing simulation results of the developed model and the classic Prandtl-Ishlinskii model. Simulation results suggest that the rate-independent modified P-I model can describe hysteresis more precisely. Compared with the classical P-I model, the rate-independent modified P-I model reduces modeling error by more than 50%. When it is used to describe rate-independent hysteresis, a one-side operator is adopted and the parameters are functions with input frequency. The results of the experiments and simulations have shown that the proposed models can accurately describe both rate-independent and rate-dependent hysteresis in piezoelectric actuators.