• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.554-560
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• 2006

This paper describes the demonstration of successful fabrication and initial characterization of micromachined pressure sensors and micromachined jets (microjets) fabricated for use in macro flow control and other applications. In this work, the microfabrication technology was investigated to create a micromachined fluidic control system with a goal of application in practical fluids problems, such as UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)-scale aerodynamic control. Approaches of this work include: (1) the development of suitable micromachined synthetic jets (microjets) as actuators, which obviate the need to physically extend micromachined structures into an external flow; and (2) a non-silicon alternative micromachining fabrication technology based on metallic substrates and lamination (in addition to traditional MEMS technologies) which will allow the realization of larger scale, more robust structures and larger array active areas for fluidic systems. As an initial study, an array of MEMS pressure sensors and an array of MEMS modulators for orifice-based control of microjets have been fabricated, and characterized. Both pressure sensors and modulators have been built using stainless steel as a substrate and a combination of lamination and traditional micromachining processes as fabrication technologies.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2002.07c
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• pp.1991-1993
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• 2002

This paper presents the PDMS surface characteristic change after the plasma process and the electroosmotic flow control technique for the two-dimensional focusing in the micro channels made of PDMS and glass. The channels are fabricated by plastic molding and micromachining technique. To observe the surface characteristic change as time elapses, we measure the contact angle of water on the surface and the velocity of the electroosmotic flow in a channel. The electric field adequate for focusing of a core flow in a confluence channel is obtained by the experiment. The computer simulation is performed to obtain the width and the depth of the core flow for several junction angles of the confluence channel.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.2 s.245
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• pp.110-116
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• 2006

A syringe pump or a device using high electric voltage has been used for controlling flows inside a LOC (lab-on-a-chip). Compared to LOC, however, these microfluidic devices are large and heavy that they are burdensome for a portable ${\mu}-TAS$ (micro total analysis system). In this study, a new flow control technique employing pressure regulators and pressure chambers was developed. This technique utilizes compressed air to control the micro-scale flow inside a LOC, instead of a mechanical actuator or an electric power supply. The pressure regulator controls the output air pressure by adjusting the variable resistor attached. We checked the feasibility of this system by measuring the flow rate inside a capillary tube of $100{\mu}m$ diameter in the Re numbers ranged from 0.5 to 50. In addition, the performance of this flow control system was compared with that of a conventional syringe pump. The developed flow control system was found to show superior performance, compared with the syringe pump. It maintains automatically the: air pressure inside a pressure chamber whether the flow inside the capillary tube is on or off. Since the flow rate is nearly proportional to the resistance, we can control flow in multiple microchannels precisely. However, the syringe pump shows large variation of flow rate when the fluid flow is blocked in the microchannel.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2012

The present study addresses a direct patterning process on a plastic film using ultrasonic vibration energy. In this process, a tool horn containing micro-patterns is attached to an ultrasonic power supply, and is used with ultrasonic vibration to replicate micro-patterns on the surface of a plastic film. To improve the replication characteristics of the micro-patterns, the effect of the die shape of the ultrasonic patterning process was investigated with respect to the flow direction control. Finite element analyses were performed to predict the flow characteristics of the polymer with variations in die design parameters. Experiments were conducted using the optimally-designed die, from which it was possible to attain much improved pattern replication.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.549-558
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• 2017

DC distribution has several differences compared to AC distribution. DC distribution has a higher efficiency than AC distribution when distributing electricity at the same voltage level. Accordingly, power can be transferred further with low-voltage DC. In addition, power flow in a DC grid system is produced by only a voltage difference in magnitude. Owing to these differences, operation of a DC grid system significantly differs from that of an AC system. In this paper, the power flow problem in a bipolar-type DC grid with unbalanced load conditions is organized and solved. Control strategy of energy storage system on a slow time scale with power references obtained by solving an optimization problem regarding the DC grid is then proposed. The proposed strategy is verified with computer simulations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.228-234
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• 2004

Dissolved air flotation (DAF), in which suspended solids are removed from water by means of micro-size air bubbles raising slowly up in water and lifting solids from water (smaller than those) attached onto the micro-bubbles as well as those (larger than solids) being attached on these, have been used in water and wastewater since 1920s. The dissolved air flotation technology was originally based on the laminar flow conditions prevailing in water to be treated, but the latest development in that technology has led now to a situation, in which the flow conditions may also be turbulent ones in the modem dissolved air flotation units. Despite of that, the flotation phenomenon used in this unit operation for removal suspended solids from water or wastewater is still the same.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers Conference
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.622-627
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• 2004

There are many difficulties in realizing Ultra-micro gas turbine system. Among them, the effects of tip clearance upon the micro turbine flowfield are discussed in this paper. The flowfield was investigated numerically with the Reynolds-averaged three-dimensional thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations. Calculations were conducted with clearance height from 0％ to 10% of the passage height. Leakage mass flow and deterioration of efficiency are proportional to the clearance height for the clearance height larger than 4%. However, in the case of 2% clearance, leakage flow is significantly reduced due to relative motion of the casing and as a result deterioration of efficiency is very small. It is difficult to control tip clearance in micro turbines, but the results of this study indicate that if the clearance height is controlled within a few per-cent of passage height, deterioration of stage performance will be small.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.278-286
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• 1999

To predict the behavior of the intravascular micro active endoscope in the real human vascular system, a human mock circulation system was developed. The intravascular micro active endoscope which consists of micro active bending catheter and micro drug infusion catheter was driven in the velocity, Re number and temperature controlled flow. The three SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) zigzag type spring in the micro active bending catheter was heated by the electric current generated by PWM controller, and the shape memory effect made the actuator bend to any direction. The micro drug infusion catheter was driven through the inner hole of the micro active bending catheter. A mock circulation system is shaped from Ascending Arota to Femoral artery according to a human data (the data contains many vascular sizes and hydrographs of many control points). We developed a vascular model with glass and silicone tubes, and set the flow system with circulation parts, flow settling parts, and lots of valves. The heater and heat-controller was added to the How system to centre! the temperature of the How at 36.5$^{\circ}C$. The result showed that the developed intravascular micro active endoscope could be induced to any point in the vascular model.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1217-1222
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• 2012

A wall flow sensor has been used for feedback flow control and wall shear stress measurement. In this study, we developed a new wall flow sensor by combining the PIV algorithm and the micro image sensor used in an optical mouse. The feasibility of the wall flow sensor was investigated by using simulated fluid flow experiments. Compared with the quadrature signal from imaging devices, the accuracy of the wall flow velocity measurement was improved and the dynamic range increased. In addition, the depth information of particles was also measured by using the defocusing imaging technique.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.1051-1054
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• 2000

We developed the micro CSF (celebrospinal fluid) shunt valve with surface and bulk micromachining technology in polymer MEMS. This micro CSF shunt valve was formed with four micro check valves to have a membrane connected to the anchor with the four bridges. The up-down movement of the membrane made the CSF on & off and the valve characteristic such as open pressure was controlled by the thickness and shape of the bridge and the membrane. The membrane, anchor and bridge layer were made of the $O_2$ RIE (reactive ion etching) patterned Parylene thin film to be about 5~10 microns in thickness on the silicon wafer. The dimension of the rectangular nozzle is 0.2＊0.2 $\textrm{mm}^2$ and the membrane 0.45 mm in diameter. The bridge width is designed variously from 0.04 mm to 0.12 mm to control the valve characteristics. To protect the membrane and bridge in the CSF flow, we developed the packaging system for the CSF micro shunt valve with the deep RIE of the silicon wafer. Using this package, we can control the gap size between the membrane and the nozzle, and protect the bridge not to be broken in the flow. The total dimension of the assembled system is 2.5＊2.5 $\textrm{mm}^2$ in square, 0.8 mm in height. We could precisely control the burst pressure and low rate of the valve varing the design parameters, and develop the whole CSF shunt system using this polymer MEMS fabricated CSF shunt valve.