CA2435727C - Resonant sensor - Google Patents

Resonant sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2435727C
CA2435727C CA002435727A CA2435727A CA2435727C CA 2435727 C CA2435727 C CA 2435727C CA 002435727 A CA002435727 A CA 002435727A CA 2435727 A CA2435727 A CA 2435727A CA 2435727 C CA2435727 C CA 2435727C
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Canada
Prior art keywords
diaphragm
regions
sensor
modified
modes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
CA002435727A
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French (fr)
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CA2435727A1 (en
Inventor
James Stonehouse Burdess
Calum Jack Mcneil
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Newcastle University Ventures Ltd
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Newcastle University Ventures Ltd
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Newcastle University Ventures Ltd filed Critical Newcastle University Ventures Ltd
Publication of CA2435727A1 publication Critical patent/CA2435727A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2435727C publication Critical patent/CA2435727C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/04Analysing solids
    • G01N29/12Analysing solids by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01MTESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01M3/00Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
    • G01M3/02Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
    • G01M3/04Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
    • G01M3/16Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/02Analysing fluids
    • G01N29/022Fluid sensors based on microsensors, e.g. quartz crystal-microbalance [QCM], surface acoustic wave [SAW] devices, tuning forks, cantilevers, flexural plate wave [FPW] devices
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N29/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
    • G01N29/02Analysing fluids
    • G01N29/036Analysing fluids by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/01Indexing codes associated with the measuring variable
    • G01N2291/014Resonance or resonant frequency
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/02Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
    • G01N2291/025Change of phase or condition
    • G01N2291/0255(Bio)chemical reactions, e.g. on biosensors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/02Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
    • G01N2291/025Change of phase or condition
    • G01N2291/0256Adsorption, desorption, surface mass change, e.g. on biosensors
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2291/00Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
    • G01N2291/10Number of transducers
    • G01N2291/101Number of transducers one transducer

Abstract

A resonant sensor for determining structural property changes, in particular for detecting the presence of chemical or biological species, comprises a structure (2) mounted to be capable of resonating and having a cyclically symmetrical configuration with two independent degenerative modes of vibrati on of a common natural frequency (f), and means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the structure (2) to resonate according to the two degenerative modes, regions (8,12,16,20) of the structure (2) being modified such that, o n changes in the structural properties of the modified regions (8,12,16,20), f or example by the addition or subtraction of mass, the natural frequencies (f1, f2) of the two modes of vibration become different, the difference in frequencies (f) being proportional to the change in structural properties.</ SDOAB>

Description

RESONANT SENSOR
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to resonant sensors for determining structural property changes, and has particular though not exclusive application to such sensors for detecting the presence of chemical or biochemical species.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
It is well established practice to provide resonant mass sensors in which the change in resonant frequency which occurs on the application of mass to the sensor is used to calculate the value of the applied mass.
However, such devices rely upon absolute changes in frequency to determine the added mass, the devices commonly operating at frequencies of the order of 10-100 MHZ, As changes of less than 1000 HZ often need to be measured, the stability of the oscillator is of great importance, precise thermal characteristics and other associated parameters of the environment needing to be known to achieve meaningful mass measurements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be desirable to be able to provide a resonant sensor more readily and directly able than heretofore to measure structural property changes, such as the addition of mass to, or the subtraction of mass from, the sensor, the measurements being independent of environmental conditions.
According to the present invention there is provided a resonant sensor for determining structural property changes, the sensor comprising a structure mounted to be capable of resonating, the structure having a cyclically symmetrical configuration with two independent degenerate modes of vibration of a common natural frequency, and means for exciting the structure to resonate according to said two degenerate modes, regions of the structure being modified such that, on changes in the structural properties of the modified regions, the natural frequencies of the two modes of vibration become different, the difference in frequencies being proportional to the change in structural properties.
Thus it will be appreciated that when, for example, a chemical or biological species is incident upon the modified regions of the surface to change the mass of said regions, the cyclic symmetry of the sensor is destroyed, and a frequency split of the previously degenerate modes is created. The value of the difference in frequencies enables the added mass to be calculated.
As any frequency change in the two modes caused by, for example, variations in temperature, pressure and internal stress in the structure are the same in each mode, these factors do not contribute to the value of the frequency split, and need not be known to determine the desired property change - the arrangement is thus self-compensating for these external effects, and requires only a single readout of the frequency difference to be made to enable calculation of the structural change under question.
The resonant structure may comprise a diaphragm, the periphery of which may be secured to a supporting substrate, the modified regions of the diaphragm being on the upper surface thereof, the means for exciting the diaphragm being located below the diaphragm symmetrically disposed relative to said modified regions, which means may be, for example, electrostatic, magnetic, piezoelectric or the like.
The modified regions of the diaphragm may be of, for example, gold chemically treated. to promote bonding with specified chemical or biological species the presence of which is to be detected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates a base segment of a structure in the form of a diaphragm of a sensor according to the invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates a diaphragm of a sensor according to the invention;
Fig. 3a and 3b show, respectively, the common resonant frequency of the two independent modes of vibration of a cyclically symmetric structure, and the frequency split of said modes on modification of the cyclic symmetry;
Fig. 4 is a transverse section through part of a first sensor according to the invention;
Fig, 5 is a plan view from below of the diaphragm of the sensor of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a plan view from above of the diaphragm of the sensor of Fig. 4, and Fig. 7 is a plan view from above of a diaphragm of a further sensor according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is based upon cyclically symmetrical structures with pairs of independent modes of vibration that share a common natural frequency of vibration.

The theory behind such. structures will now be detailed with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
A cyclically symmetric structure is formed from 5 segments, which are derived from a base segment by successive rotations through a defined angle about a fixed axis. If the base segment spans an angle of 360°/n, where n must be an integer in order to form a connected structure, then the resulting structure formed from the rotations has a rotational symmetry of order n.
For example, consider the equilateral triangle shown in Fig. 1 and let this be the base segment. If a structure is formed from this triangle by successive rotations of 60°
about an axis which is normal to the plane of the paper and which passes through the apex at A, then a hexagon is formed, as shown in Fig. 2. This resulting structure has a cyclical symmetry of order 6.
It is known that cyclically symmetric structures have pairs of independent modes of vibration that share a common natural frequency of vibration. This feature is called modal degeneracy. When vibrating at a natural frequency f, the displaced shape a of the complete structure can always be considered as a vector formed from the displacements of each segment - ie . u= (u?, u2, ...un) . In the case of the hexagon, n=6. If the modal displacements are such that a does not satisfy u=ul ( 1, 1, ...1 ) and u=ul ( 1, -1, 1, -1...1, -1 ) then the mode is degenerate . If u= (u1, u~, ...un) is one of the degenerate modes then u= (un,ul, u2, ..., un_~, ) , obtained by rotating the displaced shape through one segment, is the other mode, If this symmetry is disrupted, for example by the addition or removal of mass, then the natural frequencies associated with the once degenerate modes become unique to each mode, changing from f to fl and from f to f2 as shown in Fig. 3, such that a frequency split of value ~f exists between the two modes. This split in frequency can be used as a measure of the 'breakage' in the cyclic symmetry, and, in the case of a mass sensor, is a function of the change in mass.
A practical application of this concept is illustrated in Figs 4 to 6. in these drawings there is shown a structure in the form of a circular diaphragm 2 of relatively thin electrically conductive material the periphery of which is fixed at 4 to a thicker supporting substrate 6.
Deposited on the upper surface of the diaphragm 2 are eight equi-spaced regions 8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22, for example of gold, whereby the diaphragm 2 has a cyclic symmetry of the order eight.

The material of the regions 8 to 22 is chosen such that it can be chemically treated to promote bonding with a specified chemical or biological species to be monitored.
In the case of a mass sensor, the regions 8,12,16 and 20 are modified, while regions 10,14,18 and 22 remain unmodified.
Positioned immediately below the lower surface of the diaphragm 2 are eight actuating and sensing electrodes 24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38, one associated with each of the regions 8 to 22.
Electrodes 24,28,32 and 36 are used to produce a ' resonant flexural response in the diaphragm 2 by electrostatic means, and the subsequent modal motion of the diaphragm can be made to be of the form which varies circumferentially as cos 28, for a structure with eight fold symmetry (see Fig. 5). The angle 8 defines a line OB
in the plane of the diaphragm measured from a datum line OA
which is chosen to bisect the region 8. In this case all points on the line OB have a displacement proportional to cos 26.
In a similar manner, electrodes 26,30,34 and 38 when actuated excite a resonant flexural response in the diaphragm the modal motion of which varies circumferentially as sin 28.

g These modal motions are degenerate, and thus share a common natural frequency.
When a chemical or biological species is deposited on the modified regions 8,12,16 and 20, the mass of these regions changes, and the cyclic symmetry of the diaphragm 2 is broken.
As detailed above, a measurement of the frequency split of the once degenerate modes enables the mass added to the modified regions to be calculated. Frequency changes caused by changes in temperature, pressure and internal stress in the diaphragm 2 are the same in each mode, and thus d~ not contribute to the value of the frequency split, the arrangement therefore being self-compensating for these effects.
Modifications and variations from the sensor described and illustrated can be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In particular, the sensor can be used to determine a variety of structural property changes, including reduction in mass, the electrodes 24 to 38 may be replaced by other exciting means which may be, for example electrostatic, magnetic or piezoelectric in operation, the regions 8 to 22 may be of any suitable material other than gold, and the cyclic symmetry of the diaphragm may be other than eight, as may the number of regions 8 to 22 and exciting means 24 to 38.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is shown a diaphragm 2 designed to have a three fold cyclic symmetry. The symmetry can be achieved by having three identical equi-spaced 'electroded' regions 8,10,12 deposited on the upper surface of the diaphragm 2. This diaphragm 2 still has degenerate modes of the form cos 20 and sin 28 with two identical natural frequencies.
The mode characterised by cos 2A has the nodal lines shown by dotted lines N1, while the mode characterised by sin 28 has nodal lines shown by full lines N2.
The regions 8,10,12 are chemically treated to form four sub-regions 40,42,44 and 46 thereon symmetrically disposed either side of the nodal lines N1, these sub-regions being such as to allow a chemical or biological species to bind to the surface of the diaphragm 2 thereby to change the mass of the diaphragm 2 in the sub-regions 40 to 46.
Because the added mass is disposed equally about the nodal lines of the cos 2A mode, its effect on the natural frequency of this mode is small. The same is not however the case for the sin 28 mode the frequency of which is changed to a greater degree, with the result that a split in the natural frequencies of the once degenerate modes occurs.

Other modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (7)

II
1. A resonant sensor for determining structural property changes characterised by a structure (2) mounted to be capable of resonating, the structure (2) having a cyclically symmetrical configuration with two independent degenerative modes of vibration of a common natural frequency, and means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the structure (2) to resonate according to said two degenerate modes, regions (8,12,16,20) of the structure (2) being modified such that, on changes in the structural properties of the modified regions (8,12,16,20), the natural frequencies (fi,f2) of the two modes of vibration become different, the difference in frequencies (.DELTA.f) being proportional to the change in structural properties.
2. A sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which the structure comprises a diaphragm (2) the periphery of which is secured to a supporting substrate (6), the modified regions (8,12,16,20) of the diaphragm (2) being on the upper surface thereof, the means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the diaphragm (2) being located below the diaphragm (2) symmetrically disposed relative to said modified regions (8,12,16,20) of the diaphragm.
3. A sensor as claimed in claim 2 in which the means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the diaphragm (2) are electrostatic, magnetic or piezoelectric in operation.
4. A sensor as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 in which the diaphragm (2) is of electrically conductive material, the means (24,26,28,30,32,34,36,38) for exciting the diaphragm (2) comprising electrodes.
5. A sensor as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 in which there are a plurality of regions (8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22) defined on the upper surface of the diaphragm (2) equi-spaced therearound, alternate regions (8,12,16,20) being modified and the remaining regions (10,14,18,22) being unmodified, associated electrodes (24,28,32,36) being positioned below the modified regions (8,12,16,20) to produce a first resonant flexural response in the diaphragm (2) on excitation thereof, and associated electrodes (26,30,34,38) being positioned below the unmodified regions (10,14,18,22) to produce a second resonant flexural response in the diaphragm (2) on excitation thereof.
6. A sensor as claimed in claim 1 in which alternate regions are modified by chemical treatment to promote bonding with a species to be monitored.
7. A sensor as claimed in claim 6 in which the regions are of gold.
CA002435727A 2001-02-05 2002-01-21 Resonant sensor Expired - Fee Related CA2435727C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0102832.3 2001-02-05
GBGB0102832.3A GB0102832D0 (en) 2001-02-05 2001-02-05 Resonant sensor
PCT/GB2002/000237 WO2002063264A2 (en) 2001-02-05 2002-01-21 Resonant sensor

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2435727A1 CA2435727A1 (en) 2002-08-15
CA2435727C true CA2435727C (en) 2009-08-11

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CA002435727A Expired - Fee Related CA2435727C (en) 2001-02-05 2002-01-21 Resonant sensor

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US (1) US6805009B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1358475B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4267918B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE308044T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002226529A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2435727C (en)
DE (1) DE60206880T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1358475T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2250631T3 (en)
GB (1) GB0102832D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2002063264A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2002103340A2 (en) * 2001-06-20 2002-12-27 M.S. Tech Ltd Method and device for the detection of trace amounts of a substance,using a piezoelectric crystal element
US7681433B2 (en) * 2005-05-30 2010-03-23 National Institute Of Advanced Industrial Science And Technology Detection sensor and resonator
GB0513910D0 (en) 2005-07-07 2005-08-10 Univ Newcastle Immobilisation of biological molecules
US7583090B2 (en) * 2006-08-30 2009-09-01 David S. Nyce Electromagnetic apparatus for measuring angular position
US8945912B2 (en) 2008-09-29 2015-02-03 The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois DNA sequencing and amplification systems using nanoscale field effect sensor arrays
WO2011163058A2 (en) 2010-06-21 2011-12-29 The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois Cell mass measurement and apparatus
CN109374729B (en) * 2018-09-25 2021-02-19 深圳大学 Acoustic micro-mass sensor and detection method
CN109556702A (en) * 2018-11-19 2019-04-02 西北大学 Optical fibre grating acceleration sensor based on diaphragm type equi intensity cantilever structure
EP3715826B1 (en) * 2019-03-26 2024-03-06 Infineon Technologies AG Sensor device, particle sensor device and method for detecting a particulate matter density

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4144747A (en) * 1978-01-30 1979-03-20 The Bendix Corporation Simultaneously resonated, multi-mode crystal force transducer
SE434438B (en) * 1980-02-21 1984-07-23 Gambro Engstrom Ab DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE EXISTENCE OF A GAS COMPONENT IN A GAS MIXTURE
US5455475A (en) * 1993-11-01 1995-10-03 Marquette University Piezoelectric resonant sensor using the acoustoelectric effect
US5705399A (en) * 1994-05-20 1998-01-06 The Cooper Union For Advancement Of Science And Art Sensor and method for detecting predetermined chemical species in solution
US5852229A (en) * 1996-05-29 1998-12-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Piezoelectric resonator chemical sensing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6805009B2 (en) 2004-10-19
CA2435727A1 (en) 2002-08-15
JP4267918B2 (en) 2009-05-27
JP2004518959A (en) 2004-06-24
DK1358475T3 (en) 2006-03-13
US20040051539A1 (en) 2004-03-18
ES2250631T3 (en) 2006-04-16
DE60206880D1 (en) 2005-12-01
AU2002226529A1 (en) 2002-08-19
GB0102832D0 (en) 2001-03-21
EP1358475B1 (en) 2005-10-26
EP1358475A2 (en) 2003-11-05
WO2002063264A3 (en) 2003-03-20
DE60206880T2 (en) 2006-07-20
ATE308044T1 (en) 2005-11-15
WO2002063264A2 (en) 2002-08-15

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