Inspired by the roles of hair cells in nature, this study aims to develop and characterize two new sets of novel flow sensors. One set of sensors developed and studied in this work are flow sensors fabricated using carbon nanomaterials. These sensors are made by embedding carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon nanohorns (CNH) into a polymeric substrate and then tested by flowing a conductive aqueous solution over the surface of the exposed CNT and CNH. In response, a flow-dependent voltage is generated. The surface coverage and the electrical relationship between the sensor and water is investigated and the voltage measurements of sensors with different levels of resistance were tested in varying fluid velocities. In response to these fluid velocities, the least resistive sensor showed small, but detectable changes in voltages, while higher resistance sensors showed less response. In addition, plasma treatment of the carbon nanomaterial/PDMS films were conducted in order to render the PDMS on the surface hydrophilic and in turn to pull more fluid towards the carbon material. This showed to improve the sensitivity of the flow sensors. This work also builds on previous research by investigating the flow dependent electrical response of a "skin"-encapsulated artificial hair cell in an aqueous flow. An artificial cell membrane is housed in a flexible polyurethane substrate and serves as the transduction element for the artificial hair cell. Flow experiments are conducted by placing the bio-inspired sensor in a flow chamber and subjecting it to pulse-like flows. This study demonstrates that the encapsulated artificial hair cell flow sensor is capable of sensing changes in flow through a mechanoelectrical response and that its sensing capabilities may be altered by varying its surface morphology. Furthermore, the sensor's response and dynamics as a function of its surface morphology and structural properties are investigated through synchronized motion tracking of the hair with a laser vibrometer and current measurements across the artificial cell membrane. / Master of Science

A utilização do sensor medidor de vazão mássica de ar (MAFS) para controlar a vazão em massa de ar admitida pelo motor de combustão interna é relativamente nova no Brasil. Dentre os veículos comercializados no mercado brasileiro é possível encontrar uma série de exemplos que aplicam tal tecnologia. Acredita-se ainda, que este sensor em breve será adotado pela totalidade dos fabricantes de veículos nacionais. Este trabalho aborda uma metodologia prática para instalação robusta deste sensor em sistemas de admissão de ar para motores de combustão interna veiculares. Esta metodologia foi baseada em recentes projetos de desenvolvimento de sistemas de admissão de ar realizados por uma das principais montadoras brasileiras que utiliza este tipo de sensor para auxiliar no gerenciamento do sistema eletrônico de controle do motor. Este trabalho inclui ainda informações sobre os principais testes de validação para a instalação do sensor nos sistemas de admissão veicular, bem como algumas das práticas adotadas na execução do processo de desenvolvimento. Além disso, serão abordados também os efeitos de modificações realizadas nos sistemas de admissão e como estas afetam os resultados obtidos. / The usage of Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAFS) to control the mass air flow intake by the internal combustion engine is relatively new in Brazil. Among the vehicles sold in the Brazilian market it is possible to find a number of examples that apply this technology. It is believed, however, that this sensor will soon be embraced by all domestic vehicle manufacturers. This document presents a practical methodology for robust installation of this sensor in air intake systems for a vehicle internal combustion engine. This methodology was based on recent development projects of air intake systems developed by one of the main Brazilian companies that use this type of sensor to help the electronic control system to manage the engine. This work also includes information about the main validation tests for installing the sensor in the vehicle air intake systems, as well as some of the practices adopted in the implementation of the development process. There will also be addressed the effects of modifications in the intake systems and how these modifications affect the results.

A utilização do sensor medidor de vazão mássica de ar (MAFS) para controlar a vazão em massa de ar admitida pelo motor de combustão interna é relativamente nova no Brasil. Dentre os veículos comercializados no mercado brasileiro é possível encontrar uma série de exemplos que aplicam tal tecnologia. Acredita-se ainda, que este sensor em breve será adotado pela totalidade dos fabricantes de veículos nacionais. Este trabalho aborda uma metodologia prática para instalação robusta deste sensor em sistemas de admissão de ar para motores de combustão interna veiculares. Esta metodologia foi baseada em recentes projetos de desenvolvimento de sistemas de admissão de ar realizados por uma das principais montadoras brasileiras que utiliza este tipo de sensor para auxiliar no gerenciamento do sistema eletrônico de controle do motor. Este trabalho inclui ainda informações sobre os principais testes de validação para a instalação do sensor nos sistemas de admissão veicular, bem como algumas das práticas adotadas na execução do processo de desenvolvimento. Além disso, serão abordados também os efeitos de modificações realizadas nos sistemas de admissão e como estas afetam os resultados obtidos. / The usage of Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAFS) to control the mass air flow intake by the internal combustion engine is relatively new in Brazil. Among the vehicles sold in the Brazilian market it is possible to find a number of examples that apply this technology. It is believed, however, that this sensor will soon be embraced by all domestic vehicle manufacturers. This document presents a practical methodology for robust installation of this sensor in air intake systems for a vehicle internal combustion engine. This methodology was based on recent development projects of air intake systems developed by one of the main Brazilian companies that use this type of sensor to help the electronic control system to manage the engine. This work also includes information about the main validation tests for installing the sensor in the vehicle air intake systems, as well as some of the practices adopted in the implementation of the development process. There will also be addressed the effects of modifications in the intake systems and how these modifications affect the results.

The goal of this research was to develop acoustic sensors and actuators for microfluidic applications. To this end, capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs) were developed which generate guided acoustic waves in fluid half-spaces and microchannels. An interdigital transducer structure and a phased excitation scheme were used to selectively excite guided acoustic modes which propagate in a single lateral direction. Analytical models were developed to predict the geometric dispersion of the acoustic modes and to determine the sensitivity of the modes to changes in material and geometric parameters. Coupled field finite element models were also developed to predict the effect of membrane spacing and phasing on mode generation and directionality. After designing the transducers, a surface micromachining process was developed which has a low processing temperature of 250C and has the potential for monolithically integrating cMUTs with CMOS electronics. The fabrication process makes extensive use of PECVD silicon nitride depositions for membrane formation and sealing. The fabricated interdigital cMUTs were placed in microfluidic channels and demonstrated to sense changes in fluid sound speed and flow rate using Scholte waves and other guided acoustic modes. The minimum detectable change in sound speed was 0.25m/s, and the minimum detectable change in flow rate was 1mL/min. The unique nature of the Scholte wave allowed for the measurement of fluid properties of a semi-infinite fluid using two transducers on a single substrate. Changes in water temperature, and thus sound speed, were measured and the minimum detectable change in temperature was found to be 0.1C. For fluid pumping, interdigital cMUTs were integrated into microchannels and excited with phase-shifted, continuous wave signals. Highly directional guided waves were generated which in turn generated acoustic streaming forces in the fluid. The acoustic streaming forces caused the fluid to be pumped in a single, electronically-controlled direction. For a power consumption of 43mW, a flow rate of 410nL/min was generated against a pressure of 3.4Pa; the thermodynamic efficiency was approximately 5x10-8%. Although the efficiency and pressure head are low, these transducers can be useful for precisely manipulating small amounts of fluid around microfluidic networks.

In my master’s thesis, I consider with flow measurement. In shortness is described principle of flow sensors functionality, its advantages and disadvantages. I designed and made device for practice measurement of flow. On this device are installed three flowmeters The characteristic of this flowmeters were measured and evaluated. I made program in LabVIEW to collect and analyze information from instaled flowmeters.

Konsequent betriebener Leichtbau führte und führt weiterhin zu steigender Komplexität in der Blechumformung. Erkenntnisse aus Forschungsaktivitäten zur gezielten Beeinflussung, Regelung und Vollautomatisierung des Tiefziehprozesses konnten jedoch bisher nicht in Großserienpresswerke transferiert werden. Aus diesem Grund wird in dieser Arbeit ein Werkzeugkonzept vorgestellt, welches unter Berücksichtigung der relevanten Randbedingungen eine gezielte lokale Beeinflussung des Umformprozesses ermöglicht. Gleichzeitig gestattet es, mit Hilfe eines neuartigen, optischen Sensorkonzeptes die Geschwindigkeit sowie den Einlaufweg der Platine zu überwachen. Es wird eine methodische Vorgehensweise zur Herstellung von Umformwerkzeugen, auf der neuen Konzeption basierend, beschrieben. Umformsimulationen dienen dabei zur Identifikation von kritischen Bauteilen und deren neuralgischen Zonen. Eine entsprechend angepasste Konstruktion bietet Bauraum für die Implementierung von zusätzlichen Aktuatoren und einem definiert elastischen Einsatz. Abschließende FEM-Analysen mit Volumenmodellen sowie die Kalkulation der Lebensdauer bestätigen eine ausreichende Flexibilität und die erforderliche Dauerfestigkeit. Im Rahmen der experimentellen Analyse konnte eine drastische Verkürzung der Anlaufzeit durch deutlich reduzierten Tuschieraufwand aufgrund der Anpassungsfähigkeit sowie Flexibilität des definiert elastischen Werkzeugkonzeptes nachgewiesen werden. Neben diesem Potential hinsichtlich strukturierter Inbetriebnahmen ermöglicht die Konzeption eine Kompensation von Pressenunterschieden und individuellen Maschinencharakteristika (wie bspw. Stößelverkippungen) wodurch der Transfer von der Einarbeitspresse auf die Produktionsanlage wesentlich weniger Korrekturschleifen hervorruft. Außerdem werden der Qualitätsaufwand (Nachtuschieren) während der laufenden Serienproduktion, Stillstandszeiten und Ausschussquoten stark verringert. Darüber hinaus ergeben sich erweiterte Anwendungsmöglichkeiten bei der Umformung von tailored blanks und aus der Minimierung/Optimierung des Platinenzuschnittes enorme Einsparungs- und Kostenpotentiale. Abschließend werden die Vorteile eines geschlossenen Prozessregelkreises durch die Verknüpfung von Sensorik und Aktorik analysiert. Dabei bestätigt das vorgeschlagene Regelkonzept einer Prozessnachführung die Erhöhung der Prozessstabilität bei schwankenden Prozessparametern durch die gezielte, lokale Verteilung der Flächenpressung. Zuletzt diskutiert der vorliegende Beitrag Transfermöglichkeiten der Verbesserungspotentiale in kommende Serienwerkzeuge vor dem Hintergrund von Kostenrestriktionen und Minimierung des bedientechnischen sowie konstruktiven Aufwandes.