Application Cases

Experiment Name: Application of High-Voltage Amplifier in Motion Control of Liquid Metal Micro-Motors

Experiment Objective:
Using gallium-based liquid metal, which possesses both "liquid" and "metallic" properties, gallium-based liquid metal micro-motors were fabricated. The motors were manipulated to achieve two-dimensional and three-dimensional motion using magnetic and electric field driving methods, respectively. The motion patterns and driving mechanisms of the micro-motors were analyzed.

Experimental Equipment:
Atomic force microscope, high-speed optical camera, ATA-2082 high-voltage amplifier, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, steady-state/transient fluorescence spectrometer, high-power ultrasonic cleaner, etc.

Experimental Procedure:
A spherical (~2 mm) copper microelectrode system (positive electrode) was primarily used to drive and guide the gallium-based liquid metal micro-motors. During the experiment, by applying a voltage to the microelectrode, the gallium-based liquid metal micro-motor could perform three-dimensional jumping motions on a paper-based substrate placed perpendicular to a wooden board.

Subsequently, to further enhance the flexibility and reliability of the three-dimensional motion of the gallium-based liquid metal micro-motors, a control platform was designed. This platform enabled precise point-to-point manipulation of the micro-motors. The motor control platform system consisted of an interactive media terminal for inputting commands, a power supply terminal for generating analog signals, a voltage amplifier terminal for signal amplification, and a control chip for receiving the amplified signals, as illustrated in the figure.

The interactive media terminal for inputting commands was primarily a computer pre-installed with a command program. A predefined command signal string was set within the command program. This signal string was converted into an analog signal by a power converter. The analog signal was then amplified by the high-voltage amplifier, and the amplified signal pulses were transmitted to the control chip. Consequently, the motor executed three-dimensional jumping motions along a predetermined trajectory according to the predefined command signal string. A delay circuit on the control chip caused the pulse signal to be transmitted to the subsequent microelectrode. This led to the disappearance of the local electric field at the preceding microelectrode and the generation of a local electric field at the subsequent one, thereby pulling the motor to jump between the rear microelectrode and a touch-sensitive pressure-sensing substrate.

The touch-sensitive pressure-sensing substrate sensed the pressure generated on its bottom surface during the motor's jumping motion and transmitted a pressure signal to a signal converter. The signal converter transformed the pressure signal into an electrical signal, which was then sent to audio equipment capable of converting electrical signals into musical notes. The audio equipment would then emit the musical note corresponding to the input command, creating an effect akin to playing a piano by manipulating the gallium-based metal micro-motor.

Experimental Results:
Research on the motion control and morphological reshaping of gallium-based liquid metal micro-motors contributes to optimizing their driving performance and advancing their applications in fields such as chemical sensing, cargo transportation, materials science, and even artificial intelligence.

Figure: ATA-2082 High-Voltage Amplifier Specifications and Parameters