• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1997-2003
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• 2004

This paper presents a new method and an associated device, capable of detecting protein presence and size from the shift of the mechanical stiffness changing points due to the presence and size of proteins in a nano-gap actuator. Compared to the conventional resonant detection method, the present nanomechanical stiffness detection method shows higher precision for protein detection. The present method also offers simple and inexpensive protein detection devices by removing labeling process and optical components. We design and fabricate the nanomechanical protein detector using an electrothermal actuator with a nano-gap. In the experimental study, we measure the stiffness changing points and their coordinate shift from the devices with and without target proteins. The fabricated device detects the protein presence and the protein size of 14.0$\pm$7.4nm based on the coordinate shift of stiffness changing points. We experimentally verify the protein presence and size detection capability of the nanomechanical protein detector for applications to high-precision biomolecule detection.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.1439-1443
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• 2007

In this paper, vibration reduction techniques of a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator are presented for AFM imaging system. The damping coefficient of the actuator driven by VCM with a flexure hinge is quite low and it cause the about 30dB peak amplitude response at the resonance frequency. To decrease this peak response, we design and apply elliptical band-stop filters to xy and z axis VCM actuator. Frequency response of each actuator with filter is measured to verify the effect of the filters. As a sensor, capacitive sensor is used. Vibration reduction rate of the xy actuator with the filter is also measured while real AFM scanning condition. As another method, closed loop control with the capacitive sensor is applied to the xy axis actuator to add an electrical damping effect and vibration reduction rate measured. These vibration reduction rates with each method are compared. In the case of z axis actuator, the frequency response of force (gap) control loop is measured. For comparison, the frequency response using a conventional PID controller is also obtained. Finally, the AFM image of a standard grid sample is measured with the designed controller to analyze the effect in the AFM imaging.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1863-1872
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• 2001

In this Paper, we suggest the precision stage using a novel non-contact planar actuator that utilizes an interaction between an array type of air-core solenoids and permanent magnets. The former with axes arranged in the mutually orthogonal direction is fixed on the stator and the latter with the same polar direction is attached below the stage. The promising magnetic structure has little uncertainty such as hysteresis loss caused by ferromagnetic material, then it is simple to quantify the magnetic phenomenon. And all the magnetic forces are transmitted through narrow air-gap between the coil and the permanent magnet, therefore the structure can be highly compacted. Furthermore, the stage or plate can be perfectly isolated from the stator without any wire connection, leading to diminish the generating possibility of wear particles due to mechanical contact. Then. it is estimated that the proposed operating principle is very suitable for work requiring high accuracy and cleanness. or general-purpose nano stage. The main issues rebated to the plate driving are discussed here.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1045-1053
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• 2009

Precision stages for 6-DOF positioning, actuated by PZT stacks, which are fed back by gap sensors and guided by flexure hinges, have enlarged their application territory in micro/nano manufacturing and measurement area. The precision stages inherently have such limitations as the nonlinearity between input and output in piezoelectric stacks, feedback signal noise in precision capacitive gap sensors and low material damping in precision kinematic linkages of mechanical flexures. To surmount these limitations, the precision stage is modeled with physics-based variables, which are identified by transient response correspondence, and a gain margin calculation algorithm using the Prandtl-Ishlinskii model and describing function is newly developed to assess system performance more precisely than linear controller design schemes. Based on such analyses, a precision positioning controller is designed. Excellent positioning accuracy with rapid settlement accomplished by the controller is shown in step responses of the closed-loop system.