Application Cases

【Overview】
In this study, the Aigtek ATA-7010 high-voltage amplifier was used to build a sensor performance testing system. A superhydrophilic copper oxide nanowire quartz crystal microbalance humidity sensor with a surface covered by micro-pit arrays was designed, exhibiting excellent self-cleaning performance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used for in-situ characterization of the physicochemical properties of the sensing material. The sensing characteristics of the samples toward water molecules were investigated using a dissipative quartz crystal microbalance. The results showed a sensitivity as high as 82.5 ± 7.7 Hz/%RH. Through molecular dynamics simulations and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) nitrogen adsorption analysis, the superhydrophilicity mechanism of the copper oxide nanowires was revealed. Subsequently, a humidity sensing model for the copper oxide nanowires was established, and its reliability was verified through theoretical calculations and experiments. Based on this sensor, an intelligent non-contact sensing system was built to detect human respiration and finger humidity intensity. This study confirms the excellent performance of superhydrophilic copper oxide nanowires in non-contact sensing applications, providing a novel solution for medical health monitoring, industrial environmental detection, and human–computer interaction.

Experiment Name: Application of High-Voltage Amplifier in Performance Testing of Self-Cleaning Sensors

Research Direction: Micro/Nano Sensing

Experimental Content:
A voltage was applied to the surface of a superhydrophobic sensor to charge it, using electrostatic forces to adsorb surrounding dust, forming a uniform dust layer. This simulated the dust accumulation state on the surface of superhydrophobic devices after long-term use. Droplets of water were then dropped onto the dust-covered surface, and the collision, spreading, and bouncing processes of the droplets were observed to verify the self-cleaning capability of the superhydrophobic surface.

Testing Equipment:
Signal generator, ATA-7010 high-voltage amplifier, high-speed camera, micro-syringe pump, etc.

Experimental Procedure:

Figure: Physical Setup of the Experimental Test System

Humidity sensors are critically important for medical, food, and electronic applications. In practical use, humidity sensors are constantly exposed to air and become dusty. Dust accumulation on the sensor surface can degrade sensing performance. Utilizing superhydrophobic properties can achieve surface self-cleaning functionality, ensuring the sensor operates properly for extended periods. The influence of the superhydrophilic sensing layer and the superhydrophobic self-cleaning layer on the service performance of the sensor remains a core issue in humidity sensing research. This experiment aimed to verify the self-cleaning capability of a superhydrophobic surface. The superhydrophobic sensor was fixed on an insulating support, and the sensor surface was connected to the high-voltage amplifier to continuously charge the device surface. Dust was sprayed onto the sensor surface, and electrostatic forces were used to adsorb the dust. The high-voltage power supply was then turned off, and the sensor surface was grounded to release residual charge. The micro-syringe pump was adjusted to drop a droplet of deionized water onto the sensor surface, and the entire process of droplet collision, spreading, and bouncing was recorded using a high-speed camera.

Experimental Results:

Figure: Experimental Results

The high-speed camera observations revealed that, due to the high-voltage charging provided by the Aigtek amplifier, dust was uniformly adsorbed onto the superhydrophobic self-cleaning layer surface with no  missing areas. At time 0 seconds, a water droplet was dropped onto the inclined superhydrophobic surface. The droplet rapidly spread upon contacting the surface, adsorbing surface dust, and then rebounded within 15 ms. During this process, the droplet completely carried the dust away from the device surface, forming a clean area and achieving surface self-cleaning functionality.

Advantages of Aigtek Amplifiers in This Application:

1. High voltage output capability – Generates sufficient electrostatic force for surface high-voltage charging.

2. Output voltage stability and low ripple – Ensures uniform surface charge distribution, avoiding  local  discharge.

3. Output controllability and safety protection features – Ensures operational safety.

Recommended Product: ATA-7010 High-Voltage Amplifier

Figure: ATA-7010 High-Voltage Amplifier Specifications and Parameters