Efficient fluid transport by a bionically inspired micro-flapper: Fluidic investigations using fully coupled finite element simulation

R. Behlert, G. Schrag, G. Wachutka

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We studied the fluid transport by a bionically inspired micro-flapper fabricated in piezoelectric thin-film technology. The undulatory, wave-like motion of the proposed design is supposed to generate vortex chains in the surrounding fluid resulting in a directed jet stream and, hence, enhanced mass convection and heat transport inside the fluid. Fully-coupled finite element (FE) simulations have been carried out to investigate the fluid transport induced by such an excitation in order to assess the efficiency of the concept. The results show that there is a significant higher net flow for undulation compared to the simple, resonant-like up-and-down motion of the flap, which corroborates the feasibility of the concept.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSmart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS VIII
EditorsMika Prunnila, Luis Fonseca, Erwin Peiner
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510609938
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
EventSmart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS VIII Conference 2017 - Barcelona, Spain
Duration: 8 May 201710 May 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10246
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceSmart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS VIII Conference 2017
Country/TerritorySpain
CityBarcelona
Period8/05/1710/05/17

Keywords

  • bionics
  • fluid transport
  • piezoelectric MEMS actuator
  • thin-film technology

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