Proof of concept of energy harvesting from aeroacoustic noise

This paper reports the testing of a new mechanism converting energy radiated from an acoustic source, i.e. a small cavity created on an aircraft outside skin and inducing high frequency oscillations of airflow passing over it. This acoustic noise is then converted into electrical energy. We have submitted in a wind tunnel a set of cavities to an airflow varying the Mach number, creating high sound levels. In a second set of experiments, we have submitted passive microphones to high acoustic levels and stored in capacitors the electrical energy collected at the microphone output. Finally, directions for future work are identified

Rackham: An Interactive Robot-Guide

International audienceRackham is an interactive robot-guide that has been used in several places and exhibitions. This paper presents its design and reports on results that have been obtained after its deployment in a permanent exhibition. The project is conducted so as to incrementally enhance the robot functional and decisional capabilities based on the observation of the interaction between the public and the robot. Besides robustness and efficiency in the robot navigation abilities in a dynamic environment, our focus was to develop and test a methodology to integrate human-robot interaction abilities in a systematic way. We first present the robot and some of its key design issues. Then, we discuss a number of lessons that we have drawn from its use in interaction with the public and how that will serve to refine our design choices and to enhance robot efficiency and acceptability

Alimentation d'un capteur sans fil basse consommation en environnement industriel : récupération d'énergie avec un thermogénérateur et stockage sur supercapacités

National audienceThis article develops the realization of a 3.3 V 60 mA power supply, intended for the feeding of wireless sensor nodes with low consumption over very long durations, with an electrothermogeneration recharge. The analysis of the thermal potential and the electrical power actually recoverable is presented, followed by the installation of the electronic card with these stages: energy harvesting with a BQ25504, storage on supercapacities, and finally, shaping the output voltage with a boost (TPS610995) followed by a LDO (TPS71533).Cet article développe la réalisation d'une alimentation 3,3 V 60 mA, destinée à l'alimentation de noeuds de capteurs sans fil à faible consommation sur de très longues durées, avec un rechargement par électrothermogénération. L'analyse du potentiel thermique et de la puissance électrique effectivement récupérable est présentée, suivie par la mise en place de la carte électronique avec ces étages : récupérateur d'énergie avec un BQ25504, stockage sur supercapacités, et enfin, mise en forme de la tension de sortie avec un boost (TPS610995) suivi d'un LDO (TPS71533)

Alimentation d'un capteur sans fil basse consommation en environnement industriel : récupération d'énergie avec un thermogénérateur et stockage sur supercapacités

This article develops the realization of a 3.3 V 60 mA power supply, intended for the feeding of wireless sensor nodes with low consumption over very long durations, with an electrothermogeneration recharge. The analysis of the thermal potential and the electrical power actually recoverable is presented, followed by the installation of the electronic card with these stages: energy harvesting with a BQ25504, storage on supercapacities, and finally, shaping the output voltage with a boost (TPS610995) followed by a LDO (TPS71533).Cet article développe la réalisation d'une alimentation 3,3 V 60 mA, destinée à l'alimentation de noeuds de capteurs sans fil à faible consommation sur de très longues durées, avec un rechargement par électrothermogénération. L'analyse du potentiel thermique et de la puissance électrique effectivement récupérable est présentée, suivie par la mise en place de la carte électronique avec ces étages : récupérateur d'énergie avec un BQ25504, stockage sur supercapacités, et enfin, mise en forme de la tension de sortie avec un boost (TPS610995) suivi d'un LDO (TPS71533)

A MICROFLUIDIC MAGNETIC HYBRID ACTUATOR FOR ADVANCED HANDLING FUNCTIONS AT CELL RESOLUTION

Accepté 10th International Conference on the Scientific and Clinical Applications of Magnetic Carriers 10-14 june 2014 Dresden GermanyInternational audienceIn microfluidics, the use of super-paramagnetic microparticles (SMPs) has experienced a dramatic increase over the last decade, but control of the magnetic field at micro scale is still a topical issue. Permanent magnets don't offer a programmable approach, external coils require a certain power, and neither are usually integrated. Hybrid systems, which include external magnets to generate a high and homogeneous magnetic field, and integrated coils that produce a high gradient, are seemingly a promising way to reach a higher precision in magnetic actuation, not mentioning the forces they create on SMPs can be attractive or repulsive. The goal of our work, for one part, is to develop a simple solution for the micro-fabrication of this kind of devices, but also to delve into the design possibilities, for instance to create a separation stage or investigate more exotic functions like focusing (without leading to a dilution or an increase in the flow rate, unlike most hydrodynamic focusing techniques)

Notice d'installation et d'utilisation du four de degazage MBE32 sous CRYSTALXE

L’évolution du matériel et des techniques au sein du laboratoire du LAAS-CNRS de Toulouse a permis la semi-automatisation du dégazage des substrats des réacteurs MBE 32 et MBE2300.Le document qui suit vise à constituer de la manière la plus exhaustive possible, une trace de l’ensemble des informations liées à l’automatisation du dégazage des substrats et à expliquer son utilisation sous le logiciel CRYSTAL XE

A versatile method for generating single DNA molecule patterns: Through the combination of directed capillary assembly and (micro/nano) contact printing

International audienceOne of the challenges in the development of molecular scale devices is the integration of nano-objects or molecules onto desired locations on a surface. This integration comprises their accurate positioning, their alignment, and the preservation of their functionality. Here, we proved how capillary assembly in combination with soft lithography can be used to perform DNA molecular combing to generate chips of isolated DNA strands for genetic analysis and diagnosis. The assembly of DNA molecules is achieved on a topologically micropatterned polydimethylsiloxane stamp inducing almost simultaneously the trapping and stretching of single molecules. The DNA molecules are then transferred onto aminopropyltriethoxysilane-coated surfaces. In fact, this technique offers the possibility to tightly control the experimental parameters to direct the assembly process. This technique does not induce a selection in size of the objects, therefore it can handle complex solutions of long (tens of kbp) but also shorter (a few thousands of bp) molecules directly in solution to allow the construction of future one-dimensional nanoscale building templates

A novel fabrication method of flexible and monolithic 3D microfluidic structures using lamination of SU-8 films

International audienceThe fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic networks entirely made of SU-8 with integrated electrodes is reported. The described technology allows the fabrication of uncrosslinked SU-8 dry film on a polyester (PET) sheet and its subsequent lamination to form closed microstructures. Unlike other reported methods, transferred layers are patterned following the bonding step allowing a more accurate and simple alignment between levels than techniques using already patterned layers. Dry release of the complete polymer microstructure was demonstrated. Flexible microfluidic chips were obtained. This technique uses simple tools and no wafer bonder is used but lamination techniques which are more collective processes. Limitations in the method for layers thicker than 50 µm have been observed and are discussed. Hydraulic flow experiments have been performed to study the deformation of the cover layer which could influence adjacent flow in a three-dimensional configuration. Important deformations have been observed for layers 10 µm thick and an average pressure greater than 100 kPa. No deformations have been noted for layers with thicknesses greater than 35 µm and for average pressures up to 200 kPa. No failures occurred within the range of the experimental set-up, i.e. up to 300 kPa