ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection

Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) have been widely applied in distance sensing applications. However, the rapid movement of miniature robots in complex environments necessitates higher ranging capabilities from sensors, making the enhancement of PMUT sensing distance critica...

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Main Authors: Shutao Yao, Wenling Shang, Guifeng Ta, Jinyan Tao, Haojie Liu, Xiangyong Zhao, Jianhe Liu, Bin Miao, Jiadong Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1377
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author Shutao Yao
Wenling Shang
Guifeng Ta
Jinyan Tao
Haojie Liu
Xiangyong Zhao
Jianhe Liu
Bin Miao
Jiadong Li
author_facet Shutao Yao
Wenling Shang
Guifeng Ta
Jinyan Tao
Haojie Liu
Xiangyong Zhao
Jianhe Liu
Bin Miao
Jiadong Li
author_sort Shutao Yao
collection DOAJ
description Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) have been widely applied in distance sensing applications. However, the rapid movement of miniature robots in complex environments necessitates higher ranging capabilities from sensors, making the enhancement of PMUT sensing distance critically important. In this paper, a scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScAlN) PMUT based on a flexurally suspended membrane is proposed. Unlike the traditional fully clamped design, the PMUT incorporates a partially clamped membrane, thereby extending the vibration displacement and enhancing the output sound pressure. Experimental results demonstrate that at a resonant frequency of 78 kHz, a single PMUT generates a sound pressure level (SPL) of 112.2 dB at a distance of 10 mm and achieves a high receiving sensitivity of 12.3 mV/Pa. Distance testing reveals that a single PMUT equipped with a horn can achieve a record-breaking distance sensing range of 11.2 m when used alongside a device capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals. This achievement is significant for miniaturized and integrated applications that utilize ultrasound for long-range target detection.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2072-666X
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-182792b0fcf94cc19efac99a29e999292025-08-20T02:04:55ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2024-11-011511137710.3390/mi15111377ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range DetectionShutao Yao0Wenling Shang1Guifeng Ta2Jinyan Tao3Haojie Liu4Xiangyong Zhao5Jianhe Liu6Bin Miao7Jiadong Li8Key Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, ChinaKey Laboratory of Optoelectronic Material and Device, Department of Physics, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, ChinaSchool of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, ChinaKey Laboratory of Multifunctional Nanomaterials and Smart Systems, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215123, ChinaPiezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs) have been widely applied in distance sensing applications. However, the rapid movement of miniature robots in complex environments necessitates higher ranging capabilities from sensors, making the enhancement of PMUT sensing distance critically important. In this paper, a scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScAlN) PMUT based on a flexurally suspended membrane is proposed. Unlike the traditional fully clamped design, the PMUT incorporates a partially clamped membrane, thereby extending the vibration displacement and enhancing the output sound pressure. Experimental results demonstrate that at a resonant frequency of 78 kHz, a single PMUT generates a sound pressure level (SPL) of 112.2 dB at a distance of 10 mm and achieves a high receiving sensitivity of 12.3 mV/Pa. Distance testing reveals that a single PMUT equipped with a horn can achieve a record-breaking distance sensing range of 11.2 m when used alongside a device capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals. This achievement is significant for miniaturized and integrated applications that utilize ultrasound for long-range target detection.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1377piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT)scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScAlN)flexurally suspended membranelong-range target detection
spellingShingle Shutao Yao
Wenling Shang
Guifeng Ta
Jinyan Tao
Haojie Liu
Xiangyong Zhao
Jianhe Liu
Bin Miao
Jiadong Li
ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
Micromachines
piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT)
scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScAlN)
flexurally suspended membrane
long-range target detection
title ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
title_full ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
title_fullStr ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
title_full_unstemmed ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
title_short ScAlN PMUTs Based on Flexurally Suspended Membrane for Long-Range Detection
title_sort scaln pmuts based on flexurally suspended membrane for long range detection
topic piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT)
scandium-doped aluminum nitride (ScAlN)
flexurally suspended membrane
long-range target detection
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/15/11/1377
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