Ferrofluid-Impregnated Paper Actuators

Zhenwen Ding, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Pinghung Wei, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Girish Chitnis, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University
Babak Ziaie, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Purdue University

Date of this Version

2-2011

Citation

Ferrofluid-Impregnated Paper Actuators Zhenwen Ding; Pinghung Wei; Girish Chitnis; Babak Ziaie Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems Year: 2011, Volume: 20, Issue: 1 Pages: 59 - 64

Abstract

In this paper, we report on an inexpensive method of fabricating miniature magnetic actuators using ferrofluid-impregnated paper. Different types of papers (including soft tissue paper, cleanroom paper, Whatman-1 filter paper, printer paper, and newspaper) were loaded with oil-based ferrofluid, micromachined by a CO(2) laser and coated with a thin layer of parylene-C. The soaking capability of the different papers was investigated, with the soft tissue paper having the highest loading capacity, being able to absorb ferrofluid by as much as six times its original weight. Cantilever actuators fabricated from cleanroom and filter papers were able to generate the largest force (> 40-mg equivalent force), whereas the soft-tissue-paper cantilevers provided the greatest deflection (40 degrees tip angle).

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

 

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