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Mechanical Engineering Commons

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2008

Theses and Dissertations

MEMS

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Design And Testing Of A Pumpless Microelectromechanical System Nanoinjector, Quentin Theodore Aten Nov 2008

Design And Testing Of A Pumpless Microelectromechanical System Nanoinjector, Quentin Theodore Aten

Theses and Dissertations

A deeper understanding of human development and disease is made possible partly through the study of genetically modified model organisms, such as the common mouse (Mus musculus). By genetically modifying such model organisms, scientists can activate, deactivate, or highlight particular characteristics. A genetically modified animal is generated by adding exogenous (foreign) genetic material to one or more embryonic cells at their earliest stages of development. Frequently, this exogenous genetic material consists of specially engineered DNA, which is introduced into a fertilized egg cell (zygote). When successfully introduced into the zygote, the exogenous DNA will be incorporated into the …


Multi-Physics Modeling And Calibration For Self-Sensing Of Thermomechanical In-Plane Microactuators, Kendall B. Teichert Jul 2008

Multi-Physics Modeling And Calibration For Self-Sensing Of Thermomechanical In-Plane Microactuators, Kendall B. Teichert

Theses and Dissertations

As technology advances and engineering capabilities improve, more research has focused on microscopic possibilities. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) is one area that has received much attention recently. Within MEMS much research has focused on sensing and actuation. This thesis presents work on a particular actuator of interest, the thermomechanical in-plane microactuator (TIM). Recent work has shown the possibility of a novel approach of sensing mechanical outputs of the TIM without ancillary sensors. This sensing approach exploits the piezoresistive property of silicon. However, to implement this approach a full model of the TIM would need to be obtained to describe the physics …


Characterizing The Three-Dimensional Behavior Of Bistable Micromechanisms, Brian B. Cherry Feb 2008

Characterizing The Three-Dimensional Behavior Of Bistable Micromechanisms, Brian B. Cherry

Theses and Dissertations

Compliant bistable micromechanisms have been proposed for use in applications such as switches, relays, shutters, and sensing arrays. Unpublished laboratory testing suggests that off-axis forces may affect the bistable nature of fully compliant bistable micromechanisms (FCBMs). The actuation forces required to snap the FCBM from one stable equilibrium position to another can be altered if the off-axis forces are applied to the mechanism during transition between stable positions. Understanding the three-dimensional characteristics of these mechanisms and the effect of eccentric loading conditions would be helpful in design and analysis of FCBMs. Two 3-D FEA models were developed for analysis and …