Theoretical analysis and Computer simulations have proven to be cost-effective and powerful tools in scientific studies of materials, particularly at nano-scale where synthesis of nano-structures, interpretation of their observed character and exploration of new structures are not always straight forward. We present here fundamental principles of techniques used today for computational simulati...

Vibration energy harvesting with piezoelectric materials currently generate up to 300 microwatts per cm2, using it to be mooted as an appropriate method of energy harvesting for powering low-power electronics. One of the important problems in bimorph piezoelectric energy harvesting is the generation of the highest power with the lowest weight. In this paper the effect of the shape and geometry ...

For more than two decades, the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) has provided valuable insights in nanoscale phenomena, and it is now widely employed by scientists from various disciplines. AFMs use a cantilever beam with a sharp tip to scan the surface of a sample both to image it and to perform mechanical testing. The AFM measures the deflection of the probe beam so one must first find the spring...

"Large and small deflections of a cantilever beam".Large and small deflections of a cantilever beam". ABSTRACT The classical problem of deflection of a cantilever beam of linear elastic material, under the action of an external vertical concentrated load at the free end, is analyzed. We present the differential equation governing the behaviour of this physical system and show that this equation...

Experimental results show that specifi c binding between a ligand and surface immobilized receptor such as hybridization of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) immobilized on a microcantilever surface leads to cantilever defl ection. The binding induced defl ection may be used as a method for detection of biomolecules, such as pathogens and biohazards. Mechanical deformation induced because of hybridiz...

We investigate nano scanning in tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) under quality (Q) control via numerical simulations performed in SIMULINK. We focus on the simulation of the whole scan process rather than the simulation of cantilever dynamics and the force interactions between the probe tip and the surface alone, as in most of the earlier numerical studies. This enables us to quantify...

An increasing number of recent reports confirm the potential of MC sensors for environmental and biomedical applications, and the multifaceted functionality of MCs indicates their uniqueness as compared with more traditional sensor designs. Unlike many other types of transducers for chemical sensors, MCs are simple mechanical devices. They are tiny plates or leaf springs, typically 0.2-1 ìm thi...

Measurement of gas density and viscosity was conducted using a micro-cantilever beam. In parallel, the validity of the proposed modeling approach was evaluated. This study also aimed to widen the database of the gases on which the model development of the micro-cantilever beams is based. The density and viscosity of gases are orders of magnitude lower than liquids. For this reason, the use of a...