9 research outputs found
Spontaneous mechanical oscillation of a DC driven single crystal
There is a large interest to decrease the size of mechanical oscillators
since this can lead to miniaturization of timing and frequency referencing
devices, but also because of the potential of small mechanical oscillators as
extremely sensitive sensors. Here we show that a single crystal silicon
resonator structure spontaneously starts to oscillate when driven by a constant
direct current (DC). The mechanical oscillation is sustained by an
electrothermomechanical feedback effect in a nanobeam, which operates as a
mechanical displacement amplifier. The displacement of the resonator mass is
amplified, because it modulates the resistive heating power in the nanobeam via
the piezoresistive effect, which results in a temperature variation that causes
a thermal expansion feedback-force from the nanobeam on the resonator mass.
This self-amplification effect can occur in almost any conducting material, but
is particularly effective when the current density and mechanical stress are
concentrated in beams of nano-scale dimensions
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Summary of the FESAC Transformative Enabling Capabilities Panel Report
The U.S. Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee was charged “to identify the most promising transformative enabling capabilities (TEC) for the U.S. to pursue that could promote efficient advance toward fusion energy, building on burning plasma science and technology.” A subcommittee of U.S. technical experts was formed and received community input in the form of white papers and presentations on the charge questions. The subcommittee identified four “most promising transformative enabling capabilities”: 1. advanced algorithms 2. high critical temperature superconductors 3. advanced materials and manufacturing 4. novel technologies for tritium fuel cycle control. In addition, one second-tier TEC, defined as a “promising transformative enabling capability,” was identified: fast-flowing liquid-metal plasma-facing components. Each of these TECs presents a tremendous opportunity to accelerate fusion science and technology toward power production. Dedicated investment in these TECs for fusion systems is needed to capitalize on the rapid advances being made for a variety of nonfusion applications to fully realize their transformative potential for fusion energy