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MEMS Gas Flow Sensor Based on Thermally Induced Cantilever Resonance Frequency Shift

Robert Blue, James G. Brown, Lijie Li Orcid Logo, Ralf Bauer, Deepak Uttamchandani

IEEE Sensors Journal, Volume: 20, Issue: 8, Pages: 4139 - 4146

Swansea University Author: Lijie Li Orcid Logo

Abstract

This paper reports a novel MEMS gas flow sensor that relies on the temperature drop induced when the gas flows over an electrically heated MEMS triple-beam resonator. Modelling, simulation and characterization of the sensor has been undertaken to quantify the temperature-induced shift of resonance f...

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Published in: IEEE Sensors Journal
ISSN: 1530-437X 2379-9153
Published: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 2020
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53154
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Abstract: This paper reports a novel MEMS gas flow sensor that relies on the temperature drop induced when the gas flows over an electrically heated MEMS triple-beam resonator. Modelling, simulation and characterization of the sensor has been undertaken to quantify the temperature-induced shift of resonance frequency of the resonator, which can be directly related to the rate of gas flow over the heated resonator. The MEMS resonator was actuated into mechanical resonance through application of an AC voltage to an aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric layer coated on the central beam of the triple-beam resonator. A reversible change in resonance frequency was measured experimentally for nitrogen flow rates up to 5000 ml/min. At 5 V operating voltage the linear response fit measured from experiments yielded a 67 ml/min per Hz slope over a flow rate range from 0 ml/min to 4000 ml/min.
Keywords: Anemometer , Cantilever , Electrothermal , Micromechanical systems (MEMS) , Piezoelectric , Resonance
College: Professional Services
Issue: 8
Start Page: 4139
End Page: 4146