Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has become an indispensable metrology tool for nanoscale surface characterization. Today, research and industry demand faster and more accurate metrology and these demands must be met expediently. Traditional AFM cantilevers and associated actuators (i.e. piezoelectric) are limited in regards to actuation speed and resonance frequency presenting the user with an undesired trade-off of speed versus resolution. Based on a pre-existing technology known as the FIRAT (Force Sensing Integrated Readout and Active Tip) AFM probe, this work aims to remedy actuation and response issues by implementing a cantilever-on-cantilever probe as well as a novel seesaw probe. Both cases implement electrostatic actuation, eliminating the need for piezoelectrics while demonstrating large - micron scale - actuation and sensitive displacement detection. These new probe designs can potentially demonstrate a wide bandwidth frequency response (e.g. 100 kHz) ideal for high-speed video-rate imaging. Unlike traditional AFM cantilevers, this is realized by mechanically coupling two physically separate structures to provide a soft resonator sensor atop a stiff actuator structure. Common surface-micromachining techniques are utilized to solve the logistical challenge of fabricating these stacked structures. By manipulating the viscous damping and mechanical mode coupling it becomes feasible to attain the aforementioned desired dynamic characteristics.

The recent improvement of additive manufacturing has allowed designers to achieve a level of complexity and customizability that is difficult or impossible to accomplish using traditional manufacturing processes. As a result, much research has been conducted on developing new methods to utilize the larger design space brought by additive manufacturing. One such research area is in the design of mesoscale lattice structures. Mesoscale lattice structures are a type of cellular structure with support element sizes on the order of magnitude of centimeters. These types of structures are engineered for high performance and have applications in industries where both low weight and high strength are desired. However, due to the small size of their struts, these structures can easily have hundreds to thousands of individual struts. As a result, design poses a unique challenge. Current methods approach design of mesoscale lattice structures as a topological optimization problem, treating each strut diameter in the structure as a design variable. For structures with a fewer number struts, these optimization methods can converge, but will generally be very time-consuming. For structures with a large number of struts, the optimization problem becomes too large for current algorithms to solve. In previous research, a new, highly efficient design method for mesoscale lattice structures was presented that eliminates the need for global size or topological optimization. This method, termed the Size, Matching and Scaling method, used a unique combination of a solid-body finite element analysis and a library of pre-defined lattice configurations, termed the "unit-cell library," to generate lattice topologies. The results from this method were highly promising: design time was significantly reduced when compared to optimization methods. Furthermore, lattices designed using the SMS method had performance results that were either comparable or better than their optimized counterparts. However, the method developed was highly conceptual, lacking a true systematic methodology for generating topologies and suffering from some gaps in implementation. In this research, we present a modified Size Matching and Scaling (SMS) design method. Firstly, we introduce and outline the modified methodology. This methodology particularly includes an optimization step for determining strut diameters that replaces the manual search used in the original method. Secondly, we expand and explore the unit-cell library in an attempt to improve the performance of lattices generated using the SMS method. In particular, we optimize several unit-cell configurations and compare their performance in the context of the SMS method. Finally, we test the updated SMS methodology and unit-cell library using various design examples. Results from the various example problems indicate that optimization is not only a viable systematic method for determining diameter values, but is actually preferred to the manual, iterative process used in the original method. Furthermore, various optimization algorithms and approaches yield different results. Between the two optimization algorithms utilized in this method: constrained optimization and least-squares minimization, constrained minimization converges faster, but least-squares minimization yields slightly improved performance results. In addition to these algorithms, a one-variable approach using an untested, simplifying assumption, dubbed the "28% approach," was tested. Results indicate that this assumption was incorrect and cannot be utilized. Finally, results from the expanded unit-cell library indicate that the best unit-cell configuration is still the same original unit-cell configuration utilized in the first SMS method. The addition of more unit-cell does not improve the performance of structures generated using the SMS method. In fact, both performance and design time worsen when additional configurations are utilized.

Title from PDF of title page. / Document formatted into pages; contains 88 pages. / Thesis (M.S.E.E.)--University of South Florida, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. / Text (Electronic thesis) in PDF format. / ABSTRACT: In this work, a multi dimensional RF MEMS variable capacitor that utilizes electrostatic actuation is designed and fabricated on a 425um thick silicon substrate. Electrostatic actuation is preferred over other actuation mechanisms due to low power consumption. The RF MEMS variable capacitor is designed in a CPW topology, with multiple beams supported (1 - 7 beams) on a single pedestal. The varactors are fabricated using surface micromachining techniques. A 1um thick silicon monoxide (Er - 6) is used as a dielectric layer for the varactor. The movable membrane is suspended on a 2.5um thick electroplated gold pedestal. The capacitance between the membrane and the bottom electrode increases as the bias voltage between the membrane and the bottom electrode is increased, eventually causing the membrane to snap down at the actuation voltage. For the varactors designed herein, the actuation voltage is approximately 30 - 90V. / ABSTRACT: Full-wave electromagnetic simulations are performed from 1 - 25GHz to accurately predict the frequency response of the varactors. The EM simulations and the measurement results compare favorably. A series RLC equivalent circuit is used to model the varactor and used to extract the parasitics associated with the capacitor by optimizing the model with the measurement results. The measured capacitance ratio is approximately 12:1 with a tuning range from 0.5 - 6pF. Furthermore, the measured S-parameter data is used to extract the unloaded Q of the varactor (at 1GHz) and is found to be 234 in the up state and 27 in the down state. An improved anodic bonding technique to bond high resistivity Si substrate and low alkali borax glass substrate that finds potential application towards packaging of MEMS varactors is investigated. To facilitate the packaging of the varactors the temperature is maintained at 400°C. The bonding time is approximately 7min at an applied voltage of 1KV. / System requirements: World Wide Web browser and PDF reader. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Strut-and-tie modeling (STM) is a versatile, lower-bound (i.e. conservative) design method for reinforced concrete structural components. Uncertainty expressed by engineers related to the implementation of existing STM code specifications as well as a growing inventory of distressed in-service bent caps exhibiting diagonal cracking was the impetus for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to fund research project 0-5253, D-Region Strength and Serviceability Design, and the current implementation project (5-5253-01). As part of these projects, simple, accurate STM specifications were developed. This thesis acts as a guidebook for application of the proposed specifications and is intended to clarify any remaining uncertainties associated with strut-and-tie modeling. A series of five detailed design examples feature the application of the STM specifications. A brief overview of each design example is provided below. The examples are prefaced with a review of the theoretical background and fundamental design process of STM (Chapter 2). • Example 1: Five-Column Bent Cap of a Skewed Bridge - This design example serves as an introduction to the application of STM. Challenges are introduced by the bridge’s skew and complicated loading pattern. A clear procedure for defining relatively complex nodal geometries is presented. • Example 2: Cantilever Bent Cap - A strut-and-tie model is developed to represent the flow of forces around a frame corner subjected to closing loads. The design and detailing of a curved-bar node at the outside of the frame corner is described. • Example 3a: Inverted-T Straddle Bent Cap (Moment Frame) - An inverted-T straddle bent cap is modeled as a component within a moment frame. Bottom-chord (ledge) loading of the inverted-T necessitates the use of local STMs to model the flow of forces through the bent cap’s cross section. • Example 3b: Inverted-T Straddle Bent Cap (Simply Supported) - The inverted-T bent cap of Example 3a is designed as a member that is simply supported at the columns. • Example 4: Drilled-Shaft Footing - Three-dimensional STMs are developed to properly model the flow of forces through a deep drilled-shaft footing. Two unique load cases are considered to familiarize the designer with the development of such models. / text

Established techniques for the detection of pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, require long timeframes for culturing. State of the art biosensors rely on the diffusion of the target analyte to the sensor surface. AC electric fields can be exploited to enhance the sampling of pathogens and concentrate them at specific locations on the sensor surface, thus overcoming these bottlenecks. AC electrokinetic effects like the dielectrophoretic force and electrothermal flows apply forces on the particle and the bulk fluid, respectively. While dielectrophoresis forces pathogens towards a target location, electrothermal flows circulates the fluid, thus replenishing the local concentration. Numerical simulations and experimental proof of principle demonstrate how AC electrokinetics can be used to collect model bioparticles on an antibody functionalized selective surface from a heterogeneous solution having physiologically relevant conductivity. The presence of parallel channels in a quadrupolar microelectrode design is identified as detrimental during the negative dielectrophoretic collection of bioparticles at the centre of the design while simultaneously providing secondary concentration points. These microelectrodes were incorporated onto the surface of a novel cantilever design for the rapid positive dielectrophoretic collection of Escherichia coli bacteria and enabled the subsequent detection of the bacteria by measuring the shift in the resonance frequency of the cantilever. Finally, a proof of principle setup for a Raman coupled, AC electrokinetically enhanced sampling and detection of viruses is shown where the presence of M13 phages are identified on a selective antibody functionalized surface using Raman spectroscopy. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-01-30 19:23:48.958

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The purpose of this thesis is to provide insight into how different geometric parameters such as tower height, girder depth, and pier dimensions influence the structural behaviour, cost, and feasibility of an extradosed bridge. A study of 51 extradosed bridges shows the variability in proportions and use of extradosed bridges, and compares their material quantities and structural characteristics to girder and cable-stayed bridges. The strategies and factors that must be considered in the design of an extradosed bridge are discussed. Two cantilever constructed girder bridges, an extradosed bridge with stiff girder, and an extradosed bridge with stiff tower are designed for a three span bridge with central span of 140 m. The structural behaviour, materials utilisation, and costs of each bridge are compared. Providing stiffness either in the girder or in the piers of an extradosed bridge are both found to be effective stategies that lead to competitive designs.

The purpose of this thesis is to provide insight into how different geometric parameters such as tower height, girder depth, and pier dimensions influence the structural behaviour, cost, and feasibility of an extradosed bridge. A study of 51 extradosed bridges shows the variability in proportions and use of extradosed bridges, and compares their material quantities and structural characteristics to girder and cable-stayed bridges. The strategies and factors that must be considered in the design of an extradosed bridge are discussed. Two cantilever constructed girder bridges, an extradosed bridge with stiff girder, and an extradosed bridge with stiff tower are designed for a three span bridge with central span of 140 m. The structural behaviour, materials utilisation, and costs of each bridge are compared. Providing stiffness either in the girder or in the piers of an extradosed bridge are both found to be effective stategies that lead to competitive designs.

The procedure for milling micrometre scale cantilevers of lutetium iron garnet using a focused ion beam microscope was developed. The infrastructure to study these cantilevers using rotational hysteresis loops and ferromagnetic resonance experiments was set up. The cantilevers were shown to remain magnetic after milling, and the origin of their hysteresis loops investigated with a variant of the Stoner-Wohlfarth model. Ferromagnetic resonance in the cantilevers was demonstrated as the first step towards studying magnetomechanical coupling.