SST: Dynamics of Microbeam Sensor Arrays

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1Project Summary: SST: Nonlinear Dynamics of Microbeam SystemsIntellectual Merit: In the proposed study we aim to improve the operation of SPM cantilevers inair and vacuum by investigating important effects due to nonlinearity, shape, and coupling to nearbycantilevers. Simultaneous operations of microbeam arrays can lead to significantly increasedthroughput in applications including chemical and force sensors, imaging, and data storage. Theseeffects can lead to dynamically interesting phenomena, including localization and parametricinstability. By understanding these effects, design and operation can be proposed which allow thecantilevers to synchronize, leading to sensor enhancement. This proposed work will involvemodeling, analysis, and experimentation. In this work the nonlinear response of microbeams nearresonance will be investigated in detail and features will be mapped out that are important forperformance. The analytical investigations will focus on perturbation, symmetry, and phasereduction techniques applied to weakly nonlinear models for microbeams, which will allow one topredict the response near resonance. Experimental work will be used for parameter identification,model verification, and to explore operating regimes suggested by the analysis.The work will focus on the response of individual microbeams and one-dimensional arrays ofmicrobeams, such as those being developed for increased throughput of chemical sensors. Thesearrays are composed of several nearly identical beams that are weakly coupled to their nearestneighbors. Systems with these general characteristics are known to experience instabilities andlocalized responses, wherein synchronization is lost and the vibration energy is concentrated in asmall subset of beams. The analytical part of the work will concentrate on how these instabilitiesand localization are influenced by system and excitation parameters, and the manner in which theyaffect overall performance of the sensor. In addition, analytical models that employ intentionalpatterns of mistuning will be considered, which are known to minimize the effects of instability andlocalization. The experimental work will be used to guide and confirm the analysis, and to testsystems that are designed to operate in a synchronous manner.Broader Impacts: An integrated educational plan has been proposed which integrates outreachwith graduate education. Specifically, the goal would be to incorporate demonstrations andexplanations of observable phenomena that can be accounted for through an understanding ofnonlinear vibrations and dynamics, as well as topics from microscale and nanoscale engineering, toexisting outreach programs. The mechanics principles behind simple cantilever sensors can be usedto illustrate how simple physics principles are used to develop sensors, and show practical, excitingapplication of science. At UCSB these programs will be developed through collaborations with localteachers. At least one of these relationships has already been solidified with a teacher at SantaBarbara Jr. High. At MSU, this outreach would occur via the MSU High School EngineeringInstitute, which targets secondary school students and actively encourages participation in theengineering sciences.Broader impact in graduate education and technology transfer will be achieved in part throughpartnerships with Veeco, a local company. Veeco has a long-standing relationship with UCSB.Veeco is currently a member of the California Nanosystems institute, and has funded graduatestudent interns at Veeco, including one from the PI's group. Veeco is interested in the technologywe plan to study in this effort, and will allow students to utilize equipment unavailable at UCSB.Teaming: The proposed effort is a collaboration between Kimberly Turner (UCSB), Steven Shaw(MSU), and Jeffrey Moehlis (UCSB), and will be carried out at their home institutions. The studentsand PIs on both teams will be involved in all aspects of the project, keeping up to date via electroniccommunication and by regular visits by the MSU group to the facilities at UCSB.