TY - JOUR
T1 - TinyLev: A multi-emitter single-axis acoustic levitator
AU - Barnes, Adrian C
AU - Drinkwater, Bruce W
AU - Marzo, Asier
PY - 2017/8/31
Y1 - 2017/8/31
N2 - Acoustic levitation has the potential to enable novel studies due to its ability to hold a wide variety of substances against gravity under container-less conditions. It has found application in spectroscopy, chemistry, and the study of organisms in microgravity. Current levitators are constructed using Langevin horns that need to be manufactured to high tolerance with carefully matched resonant frequencies. This resonance condition is hard to maintain as their temperature changes due to transduction heating. In addition, Langevin horns are required to operate at high voltages (>100 V) which may cause problems in challenging experimental environments. Here, we design, build, and evaluate a single-axis levitator based on multiple, low-voltage (ca. 20 V), well-matched, and commercially available ultrasonic transducers. The levitator operates at 40 kHz in air and can trap objects above 2.2 g/cm3 densityand4mmindiameterwhilstconsuming10Wofinputpower.Levitationofwater,fusedsilica spheres, small insects, and electronic components is demonstrated. The device is constructed from low-cost off-the-shelf components and is easily assembled using 3D printed sections. Complete instructionsandapartlistareprovidedonhowtoassemblethelevitator.
AB - Acoustic levitation has the potential to enable novel studies due to its ability to hold a wide variety of substances against gravity under container-less conditions. It has found application in spectroscopy, chemistry, and the study of organisms in microgravity. Current levitators are constructed using Langevin horns that need to be manufactured to high tolerance with carefully matched resonant frequencies. This resonance condition is hard to maintain as their temperature changes due to transduction heating. In addition, Langevin horns are required to operate at high voltages (>100 V) which may cause problems in challenging experimental environments. Here, we design, build, and evaluate a single-axis levitator based on multiple, low-voltage (ca. 20 V), well-matched, and commercially available ultrasonic transducers. The levitator operates at 40 kHz in air and can trap objects above 2.2 g/cm3 densityand4mmindiameterwhilstconsuming10Wofinputpower.Levitationofwater,fusedsilica spheres, small insects, and electronic components is demonstrated. The device is constructed from low-cost off-the-shelf components and is easily assembled using 3D printed sections. Complete instructionsandapartlistareprovidedonhowtoassemblethelevitator.
U2 - 10.1063/1.4989995
DO - 10.1063/1.4989995
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 28863691
VL - 88
JO - Review of Scientific Instruments
JF - Review of Scientific Instruments
SN - 0034-6748
M1 - 085105
ER -