A resonant structure designed for probing the elastic properties of suspension and adherent cells in liquid environments

9 ppInternational audienceThis paper presents a novel force sensitive structure exploiting a dynamic mode for probing the elastic properties of living cells. A key feature of this structure is the possibility of conducting measurements in liquid environments while keeping high dynamic performances. The structure indeed provides a steady area that can be adapted so that suspension or adherent cells can be placed in a culture medium. The steady area is also connected to two adjacent beam resonators. Because these resonators never need to be immersed into the culture medium during measurements, forces applied to cells can be estimated with a high sensitivity via frequency shifts. In this paper, we conduct an extensive theoretical analysis to investigate the nonlinear effects of large static pre-deflections on the dynamic behavior of the structure. As a proof of concept, we also report the fabrication, characterization and calibration of the first prototype intended to deal with suspension cells with a diameter ranging from 100 to 500 μm. This prototype currently offers a quality factor of 700 and a force sensitivity of ∼2.6 HzmN−1. We also demonstrate that the prototype is capable of measuring the elastic modulus of biological samples in a rapid and sufficiently accurate manner without the need of a descriptive model

Modeling and robust control strategy for a control-optimized piezoelectric microgripper.

International audienceIn this paper, modeling and robust control strategy for a new control-optimized piezoelectric microgripper are presented. The device to be controlled is a piezoelectric flexible mechanism dedicated to micromanipulation. It has been previously designed with an emphasis to control strategy, using a new topological optimization method, by considering innovative frequency-based criteria. A complete non-linear model relating the voltage and the resulting deflection is established taking into account hysteresis as a plurilinear model subjected to uncertainties. The approach used for controlling the actuator tip is based on a mixed High Authority Control (HAC) / Low Authority Control (LAC) strategy for designing a wide-band regulator. It consists of a Positive Position Feedback (PPF) damping controller approach combined with a low-frequency integral controller which is shown to have robustness performances as good as a RST-based robust pole placement approach for the microgripper. The rejection of the vibrations, naturally induced by the flexible structure, and the control of the tip displacement have been successfully performed. Because we had taken into account frequency-based criteria from the first designing step of our device, we demonstrate that the tuning of the HAC/LAC can be easily performed and leads to low regulator order

Modeling and experimentation of a passive low frequency nanoforce sensor based on diamagnetic levitation.

International audienceThis paper is focused on the study of a new low frequency micro and nanoforce sensor based on diamagnetic levitation. The force sensitive part is a tencentimeter long macroscopic capillary tube used as a levitating seismic mass. This tube presents a naturally stable equilibrium state with six degrees of freedom thanks to the combination of diamagnetic repulsive and magnetic attractive forces. It is only used as a one-direction force sensing device along its longitudinal axis. This force sensor is passive. The force measurement is based on the displacement of the capillary tube and in steady-state this displacement is proportional to the force. This sensor is characterized by an under-damped second-order linear force-displacement dynamic which remains linear on several hundred micrometers and can thus measure a wide range of microforces. Because of the magnetic springs con guration used, the capillary tube presents a horizontal mechanical sti ness that can be adjusted between 0.01 and 0.03 N/m (similar to the sti ness of a thin AFM cantilever). The measurement range typically varies between 50 N. Bandwidth is 4 Hz. The resolution depends on the sensor used to measure the capillary tube displacement and on noises induced by environmental conditions (ground and air vibrations). The resolution typically reached with a STIL confocal chromatic sensor is 5 nN inside a test chamber located on a anti-vibration table. This study is illustrated by a pull-off force measurement

Mechanical and control-oriented design of a monolithic piezoelectric microgripper using a new topological optimisation method.

International audienceThis paper presents a new method developed for the optimal design of piezoactive compliant micromechanisms. It is based on a flexible building block method, called FlexIn, which uses an evolutionary approach, to optimize a truss-like planar structure made of passive and active building blocks, made of piezoelectric material. An electromechanical approach, based on a mixed finite element formulation, is used to establish the model of the active piezoelectric blocks. From the first design step, in addition to conventional mechanical criteria, innovative control-based metrics can be considered in the optimization procedure to fit the open-loop frequency response of the synthetized mechanisms. In particular, these criteria have been drawn here to optimize modal controllability and observability of the system, which is particularly interesting when considering control of flexible structures. Then, a planar monolithic compliant micro-actuator has been synthetized using FlexIn and prototyped. Finally, simulations and experimental tests of the FlexIn optimally synthetized device demonstrate the interests of the proposed optimization method for the design of micro-actuators, microrobots, and more generally for adaptronic structures

Synthèse et commande robuste d'une micropince piézoélectrique intégrée.

National audienceWe have developed a new method to make the synthesis of monolithic flexible structures for designing integrated actuators. Our synthesis method is based on the optimal placement of building blocks. These elementary blocks can be made in passive materials or in active piezoelectric ceramics. Thanks to a dynamic representation of the input/output behavior of these mechanisms, some new specifications which can guaranty interesting performances for the identification and control of these systems are taken into account, from the first designing step. These last criteria helped us to draw an original design strategy for their robust control. MOTS-CLÉS : structure flexible, piézoélectricité, optimisation topologique multi-critères, grammiens, commandabilité, observabilité

Optimal Observability-based Modelling, Design and Characterization of Piezoelectric Microactuators.

International audienceThis paper deals with the optimal design of monolithic piezoelectric microactuators with integrated proprioceptive sensors. Dedicated to the microrobotic and micromechatronic fields, these works detail the modelling and the characterization of compliant structures with integrated actuating and sensing elements. The proposed optimal design procedure adresses not only static criteria but also dynamic ones. This leads to microdevices which are more performant with regards to mechanical (displacement, force...) and control (dynamics, stability, precision) characteristics. Efficient design of such devices is achieved using a flexible building block method. A topological optimization method combined with an evolutionary algorithm is used to optimize the design of truss-like planar structure. This method chooses the best location among the different piezoelectric elements. Different mechanical, actuation or sensing elements are accordingly chosen from a data bank. From the control point of view, optimisation criteria are considered to enforce the observability of the vibrational dominant modes of the structure. Therefore, control and observation Gramians are exploited in the optimal design to shape the open loop frequency response of both, actuation and sensing functions of the integrated device. In the last part of the paper, based on these results, the optimal design and manufacturing of an innovative piezoelectric flexible microgripper is proposed. The prototype is manufactured from a monolithic piezoelectric material (PIC 151). Its reduced size (15 mm x 18 mm) fits the requirement of both microrobotics and micromechatronics applications, which is suitable for micromanipulation tasks. The characterization and the performance of this integrated microactuator finally close the paper and the efficiency of the optimal design procedure for micromechatronics applications are shown

Observation-Oriented design of a Monolithic Piezoelectric Microactuator with Optimally integrated Sensor.

International audienceThis paper presents an evolution in an optimization method, called FlexIn, developed for the optimal design of piezoelectric compliant smart structures. FlexIn is based on a flexible building block method that uses a genetic algorithm approach, to optimize a truss-like planar structure made of piezoelectric passive, active and, with the work reported in this paper, sensitive building blocks. The model of these blocks is established by means of a finite-element electromechanical formulation. The main contribution of this paper is to present a new observation-oriented criterion, along with a static electromechanical one, considered in the optimization procedure for the optimal placement of piezoactuating and piezosensing parts in the compliant micro-structure. In order to underline the interests of such a criterion, performances of three pseudo-optimal piezoelectric smart structures are drawn. Their analysis and comparison illustrate the role of the optimization method and the observation-oriented criterion, in the design of smart structures and in simplifying their control afterwards

Optimal design and control simulation of a monolithic piezoelectric microactuator with integrated sensor.

International audienceThis paper presents an important evolution in an optimization method, called FlexIn, developed for the optimal design of piezoelectric compliant micromechanisms. It is based on a flexible building block method that uses an evolutionary approach, to optimize a truss-like planar structure made of piezoelectric passive, active and now sensitive building blocks. The model of these blocks is established by means of a finiteelement electromechanical formulation. The main contribution of this paper is to present an new control-observation-oriented criterion considered in the optimization procedure, among other conventional mechanical criteria, to optimize modal observability of the structure, for the placement of piezoactuating and piezosensing parts. In order to point out the underlying interests of this method for the design of smart structures with integrated actuators and sensors, a planar piezoelectric compliant smart micro-mechanism is optimally synthesized. Simulations of the device are finally performed illustrating the role of the observation-oriented criterion in simplifying the control of such smart structures

Méthode des blocs sensitifs pour la synthèse optimale de mécanismes flexibles à mesure piézoélectrique intégrée.

National audienceCet article présente une méthode de synthèse optimale pour la conception préliminaire de mécanismes flexibles monolithiques piézoélectriques. La construction d'un tel mécanisme, selon cette méthode baptisée FlexIn, est basée sur l'agencement de blocs flexibles piézoélectriques élémentaires qui peuvent être structurels, actionneurs et/ou capteurs, sélectionnés respectivement dans trois bibliothèques. Cet article décrit plus particulièrement l'approche utilisée pour établir le modèle aux éléments finis multi-physiques des blocs capteurs piézoélectriques, de type treillis de poutre, en vue de son intégration dans le logiciel de synthèse optimale. Les résultats obtenus présentent un écart de quelques pourcents avec ceux issus d'un code aux éléments finis commercial. A titre d'exemple, le modèle capteur est appliqué à une micropince monolithique existante ; le résultat de mesure est d'un ordre de grandeur satisfaisant. Ces résultats permettent de dresser les perspectives de la méthode de synthèse optimale proposée dans le cadre général de la conception de structures intelligentes pour la microrobotique

Etude, conception et réalisation d'un capteur de micro et nano-forces. Application à la mesure d'élasticité des ovocytes.

In the microrobotic field, the handling of small objects is needed. In order to characterize interactions in the considered working dimensions, force measurements is necessary. Accordingly, we developed a force sensor which uses a passive magnetic levitation principle. Thus, we did not need control loop to ensure the levitation. Total dimensions of the sensor did not exceed a volume of 170 mm x 100 mm x 60 mm. The sensor is formed of a polymeric material leg, being used as effector, on which two permanent magnets are fixed. The leg unit and permanent magnets levitate between two graphite plates using a particular configuration of magnetic bearing. Force measurements with the developed sensor can be done mainly along three directions. The use of this sensor makes it possible to perform force measurements in the range of a few tens of nanonewton (nN) to several milliNewton (mN) with a nanNewton resolution. Both of the magnetic and diamagnetic modeling make it possible to calculate forces according to the position of the suspended magnets. This sensor is currently used for determination of the mechanical characteristics of human cells such as oocyte. This work is undertaken in close cooperation with fertilization team of the CHU of Besançon.Dans le domaine de la microrobotique, la manipulation d'objets de petites tailles (micromécanismes, cellules, etc...) est courante. Afin de caractériser les interactions aux dimensions de travail considérées, la mesure de force en microrobotique est nécessaire. Dans cette optique, nous avons développé un capteur de forces qui repose sur un principe de lévitation magnétique passive et ne nécessitant pas d'asservissement pour assurer la lévitation. Les dimensions globales du capteur n'excèdent pas un volume total de 170 mm x 100 mm x 60 mm. Le capteur est composé d'une tige en matériau polymère, servant d'effecteur, sur laquelle sont fixés deux aimants permanents. L'ensemble tige et aimants permanents lévite entre deux plaques de graphite à l'aide d'une configuration particulière d'aimants porteurs. La mesure de force avec le capteur développé peut se faire principalement suivant trois directions. L'utilisation de ce capteur permet de couvrir une plage de mesure deforce allant de quelques dizaines de nanonewton (nN) à plusieurs milliNewton (mN) avec une résolution de mesure de l'ordre du nanoNewton (nN). Les modèles magnétiques et diamagnétique développés permettent de déterminer les forces qui s'appliquent sur l'effecteur par le biais de la connaissance de la position spatiale de la tige. En terme applicatif, le capteur de forces est actuellement utilisé pour la détermination des caractéristiques mécaniques de cellules humaines de type ovocyte. Ce travail est mené en étroite collaboration avec l'équipe de fécondation in vitro du CHU de Besançon