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Analysis and Measurement of Forces in an Electrowetting-Driven Oscillator

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Nathan Brad Crane,
Alex A Volinsky,
Vivek Ramadoss,
Michael Nellis,
Pradeep Mishra and
Xiaolu Pang
Nathan Brad Crane
Affiliation:
nbcrane@eng.usf.edu, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States, 813-974-8586
Alex A Volinsky
Affiliation:
volinsky@eng.usf.edu, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States
Vivek Ramadoss
Affiliation:
vramados@mail.usf.edu, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States
Michael Nellis
Affiliation:
mnellis@mail.usf.edu, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States
Pradeep Mishra
Affiliation:
pmishra@mail.usf.edu, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States
Xiaolu Pang
Affiliation:
xiaolupang@gmail.com, University of South Florida, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB 118, Tampa, FL, 33620, United States
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Abstract

Electrowetting is a promising method for manipulating small volumes of liquid on a solid surface. This complex phenomenon couples electrical and fluid properties and offers many potential surprises. The complex electrical and capillary interactions in electrowetting are illustrated by an analysis of an electrowetting configuration that produces an oscillating droplet motion from a steady DC voltage input. The paper presents an analysis of the electrowetting forces to explain the oscillation and presents a new method for measuring electrowetting forces using a Hysitron Triboindenter. Initial results are compared with predictions from numerical models and simplified analytical solutions.

Keywords

fluidicsmicroelectro-mechanical (MEMS)dielectric properties

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References

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