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Aronne M, Bertana V, Schimmenti F, Roppolo I, Chiappone A, Cocuzza M, Marasso SL, Scaltrito L, Ferrero S. 3D-Printed MEMS in Italy. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:678. [PMID: 38930648 PMCID: PMC11205654 DOI: 10.3390/mi15060678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
MEMS devices are more and more commonly used as sensors, actuators, and microfluidic devices in different fields like electronics, opto-electronics, and biomedical engineering. Traditional fabrication technologies cannot meet the growing demand for device miniaturisation and fabrication time reduction, especially when customised devices are required. That is why additive manufacturing technologies are increasingly applied to MEMS. In this review, attention is focused on the Italian scenario in regard to 3D-printed MEMS, studying the techniques and materials used for their fabrication. To this aim, research has been conducted as follows: first, the commonly applied 3D-printing technologies for MEMS manufacturing have been illustrated, then some examples of 3D-printed MEMS have been reported. After that, the typical materials for these technologies have been presented, and finally, some examples of their application in MEMS fabrication have been described. In conclusion, the application of 3D-printing techniques, instead of traditional processes, is a growing trend in Italy, where some exciting and promising results have already been obtained, due to these new selected technologies and the new materials involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilde Aronne
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
| | - Valentina Bertana
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
| | - Francesco Schimmenti
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ignazio Roppolo
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin, Italy;
| | - Annalisa Chiappone
- Department of Chemical and Geological Science, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Blocco D, S.S. 554 Bivio per Sestu, 09042 Monserrato, Italy;
| | - Matteo Cocuzza
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
| | - Simone Luigi Marasso
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
- CNR-IMEM, Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Luciano Scaltrito
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
| | - Sergio Ferrero
- ChiLab Laboratory, Politecnico di Torino (PoliTo), Via Lungo Piazza d’Armi 6, 10034 Chivasso, Italy; (M.A.); (M.C.); (S.L.M.); (L.S.); (S.F.)
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Pavone A, Stano G, Percoco G. One-Shot 3D Printed Soft Device Actuated Using Metal-Filled Channels and Sensed with Embedded Strain Gauge. 3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING 2023; 10:1251-1259. [PMID: 38116226 PMCID: PMC10726192 DOI: 10.1089/3dp.2022.0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
In this article, the multimaterial extrusion (M-MEX) technology is used to fabricate, in a single step, a three-dimensional printed soft electromagnetic (EM) actuator, based on internal channels, filled with soft liquid metal (Galinstan) and equipped with an embedded strain gauge, for the first time. At the state of the art, M-MEX techniques result underexploited for the manufacture of soft EM actuators: only traditional manufacturing approaches are used, resulting in many assembly steps. The main features of this work are as follows: (1) one shot fabrication, (2) smart structure equipped with sensor unit, and (3) scalability. The actuator was tested in conjunction with a commercial magnet, showing a bending angle of 22.4° (when activated at 4A), a relative error of 0.7%, and a very high sensor sensitivity of 49.7 Two more examples, showing all the potentialities of the proposed approach, are presented: a jumping frog-inspired soft robot and a dual independent two-finger actuator. This article aims to push the role of extrusion-based additive manufacturing for the fabrication of EM soft robots: several advantages such as portability, no cooling systems, fast responses, and noise reduction can be achieved by exploiting the proposed actuation system compared to the traditional and widespread actuation mechanisms (shape memory polymers, shape memory alloys, pneumatic actuation, and cable-driven actuation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Pavone
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Additive Manufacturing (IAM) Lab, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Taranto
| | - Gianni Stano
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Additive Manufacturing (IAM) Lab, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Taranto
| | - Gianluca Percoco
- Department of Mechanics, Mathematics and Management, Polytechnic of Bari, Bari, Italy
- Interdisciplinary Additive Manufacturing (IAM) Lab, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Taranto
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A Review of the Methods of Modeling Multi-Phase Flows within Different Microchannels Shapes and Their Applications. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12091113. [PMID: 34577756 PMCID: PMC8465032 DOI: 10.3390/mi12091113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In industrial processes, the microtechnology concept refers to the operation of small devices that integrate the elements of operational and reaction units to save energy and space. The advancement of knowledge in the field of microfluidics has resulted in fabricating devices with different applications in micro and nanoscales. Micro- and nano-devices can provide energy-efficient systems due to their high thermal performance. Fluid flow in microchannels and microstructures has been widely considered by researchers in the last two decades. In this paper, a review study on fluid flow within microstructures is performed. The present study aims to present the results obtained in previous studies on this type of system. First, different types of flows in microchannels are examined. The present article will then review previous articles and present a general summary in each section. Then, the multi-phase flows inside the microchannels are discussed, and the flows inside the micropumps, microturbines, and micromixers are evaluated. According to the literature review, it is found that the use of microstructures enhances energy efficiency. The results of previous investigations revealed that the use of nanofluids as a working fluid in microstructures improves energy efficiency. Previous studies have demonstrated special attention to the design aspects of microchannels and micro-devices compared to other design strategies to improve their performance. Finally, general concluding remarks are presented, and the existing challenges in the use of these devices and suggestions for future investigations are presented.
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