CRI: Microgripper Laboratory Development

该项目为制造微夹持器开发设施进行测试和测量，通过解决遇到的一些困难来为制造做出贡献，这些困难涉及-使用当前的机械方法将离子聚合物金属复合材料(IPMC)切割到所需的尺寸；因此，激光切割系统-表征IPMC的性能；因此，系统识别技术可以测量真实特性；测量响应以开发工厂的极/零模型(微夹持器执行器)和反馈(微夹持器位置传感器)，以及-使用称重传感器进行准确的性能测量。该项目检查了微型IPMC的机械和电气特性；因此，微夹爪实验室对纳米/微操作做出了贡献。虽然已经在宏观尺度上对这些特性进行了研究，但在微观尺度上的应用还没有得到充分的研究。该基础设施允许开发基于UNM获得专利的新材料的最先进的微夹持器系统，以及涉及血细胞特性测量、碳纳米管、流体和流动可视化的服务项目。广泛影响：该设施作为这家少数族裔服务机构相关领域的研究生院的招聘工具。这些学生反过来又激励未被充分代表的学生从事理工科职业。因此，这些设备与工程学建立了明显的联系，并可能影响学生在该领域追求职业生涯。

This project, testing and measuring for the fabrication of a microgripper development facility, contributes in the fabrication by resolving some difficulties encountered which involve-Cutting the Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) as small as desired using the current mechanical methods; therefore, a laser cutting system,-Characterizing the performance of IPMC; hence, system identification techniques that measure true characteristics; measuring the response to develop a pole/zero model for the plant (microgripper actuator) and feedback (microgripper position sensor), and-Using load cells for accurate performance measurements. The project examines the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the micro-sized IPMC; thus, the microgripper laboratory contributes to nano/micro manipulation. Although these characteristics have been studied in macro-scale, its micro-scale application has not yet been fully investigated. The infrastructure allows the development of the state-of-the-art microgripper system based on a new material patented at UNM and services projects involving blood cell property measurements, carbon nanotubes, fluid and flow visualization.Broader Impact: The facility serves as a recruitment tool for graduate school in pertinent areas in this minority serving institution. These students in turn motivate underrepresented students to follow a science/engineering career. Hence, the equipment creates an obvious link to engineering and may influence students to pursue careers in the field.