Applied Mechanics and Materials Vol. 780

Abstract: Modernization of human technologies overtime results the need of more freedom technology likes the use of natural interaction to replace a current trend interface devices such as joysticks, mice, keyboards and other related output devices. Dataglove is one of the interface devices that could serve a natural interaction between user and computers. In this paper, a dataglove called GloveMAP is introduced which has the capability of measuring fingertip force. The flexible force sensors are attached to the fingers location of the glove. Several object grasping experiments are conducted and the grasping force signals are measured. A Gaussian filter is introduced to smoothen the acquired force signals.

Abstract: Natural pigments have low photostability due to the nature of their molecular structures. The conjugated structures lead the pigment molecules to be degraded quickly by the UV radiation. In this work, bixin is used as natural pigments for photosensitizers. Kaolinite is employed as a barrier to protect the bixin from degradation. Impregnating bixin into kaolinite forms more stable molecular structures which improve photostability of the bixin. Moreover, kaolinite can serve as a carrier material which allows the transfer of electrons from bixin to kaolinite molecules through the hydrogen bonds that form between them. As results, kaolinite does not only slow down the bixin photodegradation rate, but also improve bixin photoabsorption capability

Abstract: A simple theoretical model and resistor fabrication for calculating the resistance of a polycrystalline silicon thin film is presented. The resistance value for poly-resistor is perfomed in terms of polysilicon thickness and its total area. The KrF excimer laser micromachine is used in assisting the resistor formation for a low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) based polysilicon. Laser micromachine with three main parameters is used to aid the fabrication of the poly-resistor; namely as the pulse rate (i.e. number of laser pulses per second), laser beam size and laser energy. These parameters have been investigated to create the isolation between materials and also to achieve the desired poly-resistor shape. Preliminary results show that the 35 um beam size and 15 mJ of energy level is the most effective parameter to produce the pattern. Poly-resistor formation with 12 and 21 number of squares shows the total average resistance of 303.52 Ω and 210.14 Ω respectively. The laser micromachine process also significantly reduce the total time and number of process steps that are required for resistor fabrication.

Abstract: A layer of ZnO thin film was deposited repetitively 15 times on a silicon substrate by sol-gel spin coating technique. The structural and electrical characteristic of the thin film was studied and presented. For structural characterization, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis were chosen while Semiconductor Parametric Analyzer (SPA) was used to measure the electrical characteristic. The ZnO thin film thickness were measured to be between 165 nm to 180 nm. The resistance increased proportionally with annealing temperature with the lowest value of 80Ω. Structurally, the grain sizes of the ZnO thin films increased with the increase in annealing temperature. The root mean square (RMS) and average surface roughness (Ra) were measured respectively.

Abstract: Excimer laser micromachining enables us to overcome the conventional lithography-based microfabrication limitations and simplify the process of creating three dimensional (3D) microstructures.The objective of this study is to investigate the relation between the number of laser pulses, number of laser passes through the channel of ablation site and their etch performance. Parameters such as frequency, fluence and velocity were retained as constants. In this paper, we present a parametric characterization study on silicon using KrF excimer laser micromachining. From the result, the etch rate change were recorded as the two major laser parameters (Number of laser pulses and number of laser passes) were varied. Both parameters were showing declination profile however from comparing both graphs, it showed that etch rate dropped more steeply when varied number of laser passes rather than number of pulses.

Abstract: Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) has been known to be a good pozzolanic material and played an effective role in improving the physical and mechanical properties of concrete. This paper highlights the results obtained from the laboratory tests on compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, creep and shrinkage of glass fibre reinforced concrete (GFRC) containing POFA. Concrete specimens of grade 30 was designed following DoE method where GFRC with 0.5% fibre content was prepared with OPC replaced by 20% POFA by weight. Laboratory tests based on short-term investigation showed that the modulus of elasticity of GFRC containing POFA in association with its compressive strength was slightly lower than that of concrete without POFA. The measured values of creep and shrinkage, however, revealed that the creep and shrinkage strain of GFRC containing POFA were higher than that of concrete with OPC alone. On the basis of short-term investigation, the one-year creep and shrinkage values of both types of concrete were also predicted by extrapolating the data obtained in this study.

Abstract: The ability to self-energize wireless sensor node promote the popularity of energy harvesting technique especially by using ambient vibration as the source of energy. In addition, the successful integration of the energy harvesting element on the same wafer as a wireless sensor node will promote the production in the MEMS scale and will reduce the overall cost of production. The usage of the cantilever structure as the transducer for converting mechanical energy (vibration) due to deflection of cantilever into the electrical energy is possible by depositing piezoelectric material on the cantilever. The usage of cantilever provide the simplest way for fabrication in the MEMS scale and also provide the ability to achieve low natural frequency. This paper present the work done on the simulation of the cantilever structure with the top end and back etch proof mass towards achieving low natural frequency in the MEMS scale by using IntelliSuite software.

Abstract: Microring resonators side coupled to signal waveguides provide compact, narrow band, and large free spectral range photonic channel dropping wavelength switch. Wavelength switch with improved passband characteristics and larger out-of-band signal rejection are realized through the coupling of rings. The analysis of these devices is demonstrated by the novel method of coupling. The response of switch comprised of different coupling gap may be written down by attenuation ratio.

Abstract: Robotic arm with six degrees of freedom can be successfully used to do a surgical task through a small incision called (RCM point) on the patient's body. Inverse Kinematics modeling and simulating of a 6 DOF surgical robot is developed in this paper. The mathematical model equations are built using geometric approach and the Denavit-Hartenberg convention. The 3D model of the robot is created by CATIA5 to simulate the motion of the robot in surgical environments. The inverse kinematics equations model is validated through the simulating model. Result confirms that the proposed robot mechanism is applicable for minimally invasive surgery applications.