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Minimizing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry is of critical importance for the forthcoming years, allowing the mitigation of climate change through fossil fuel economy. Significant progress toward this goal can be achieved through the aerodynamic optimization of wing surfaces. In a previous study, a custom-designed wing equipped with an Eppler 420 airfoil, including an appendant custom-designed blended winglet, was developed and studied in flight conditions. The present paper researches potential improvements to the aerodynamic behavior of this wing by attempting to regenerate the boundary layer. The main goal was to achieve passive control of the boundary layer, which would be approached by means of two different configurations. In the first case, dimples were added at the points where the separation of the boundary layer was expected, for the majority of the wing surface; in the second case, bumps of the same diameter were added at the same points. Both wings were studied in two different Reynolds (Re) numbers and five angles of attack (AoA). The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were implemented using a pressure-based solver, the spatial discretization was conducted with a second-order upwind scheme, and the k-omega SST (k-ω SST) turbulence model was applied by utilizing the pseudo-transient method. The experimental procedure was conducted in an open-type subsonic flow wind tunnel, for Reynolds 86,000, with 3D-printed models of the wings having undergone suitable surface treatment. The numerical and experimental results converged, showing a degradation in the wing's aerodynamic performance when bumps were implemented, as well as a slight improvement for the configuration with dimples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimples are small concavities imprinted on a flat surface, known to affect heat transfer and also flow separation and aerodynamic drag on bluff bodies when acting as a standard roughness. Recently, dimples have been proposed as a roughness pattern that is capable of reducing the turbulent drag of a flat plate by providing a reduction of skin friction that compensates the dimple-induced pressure drag and leads to a global benefit. The question whether dimples do actually work to reduce friction drag is still unsettled. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the available information, touching upon the many parameters that characterize the problem. A number of reasons that contribute to explaining the contrasting literature information are discussed. We also provide guidelines for future studies by highlighting key methodological steps required for a meaningful comparison between a flat and dimpled surface in view of drag reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golf ball is a very interesting aerodynamic device. As a sphere, the coefficient of drag should be about 0.48. However, because of the surface of the golf ball, the drag coefficient can be much lower, up to 12%. This paper explores the multitude of ways, designs and concepts that create such a lower drag coefficient, through computational fluid dynamics analysis, and using those findings how to use them when designing new parts to increase the efficiency and reliability of the device that uses said parts while increasing the quality of life of the user of the devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the influence of oil pockets location on extraction of surface topography features was taken into account. Plateau-honed cylinder liners with additionally added dimples were taken in consideration. The effect of dimples location on the application of various procedures (cylinder fitting procedure, polynomial approximation) for areal form removal was taken into account. It was noticed that application of 3rd (or greater) degree of the polynomials can caused false estimation of reference plane; extraction of surface topography features by polynomial approximation cannot provide good results when the distance between dimples is too small. For two-process surfaces (plateau-honed cylindrical elements containing wide and deep valleys) the digital filtering was proposed. Application of robust techniques (robust Gaussian regression filter) allowed for areal form removal improvement. However, some of the wide dimples were distorted when the dimple-to-edge distance was too small (smaller than filter bandwidth value). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the possibility of using SLM additive technology to produce structures with specific surface morphological features. Qualitative and quantitative tests were conducted on samples fabricated by 3D printing from titanium (Ti6Al4V)-powder-based material and analysed in direct relation to the possibility of their use in medicine for the construction of femoral stem and models with a specific degree of porosity predicted by process-control in the self-decision-making 3D printing machine. This paper presents the results of the study, limitations of the method, recommendations that should be used in the design of finished products, and design proposals to support the fabrication process of 3D printers. Furthermore, the study contains an evaluation of how the printing direction affects the formation of certain structures on the printed surface. The research can be used in the development of 3D printing standardization, particularly in the consideration of process control and surface control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous works have been carried out in the design and analysis of Heat Sink, however hardly any work have been reported with studies on dimples and protrusions being added to the heat sink geometries. This paper aims to find the worthiness for addition of dimples and protrusions to the common plate fin heat sink geometries for heat transfer enhancement. Analysis was carried out in forced convention environment for 9 different velocities computationally for 12 heat sink geometries at constant heat flux boundary condition applied to base of heat sink. Decrease in base temperature and thermal resistance of heat sink was considered as the performance factors. Further these computational results were validated experimentally. The results obtained from computational analysis were in good agreement with experimental results. The research outcome show that addition of dimples has proved its worthiness at slightly higher velocity regime with thermal performance being increased for a dimpled heat sink as compared to non-dimpled heat sink. Therefore, currently developed dimpled heat sinks can be a potential model that can be used in forced convection environment for better thermal performance and economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In various industrial applications, the high performance of heat exchanger demand is increasing. Subsequently, the energy resources depletion, for instance, in power plant, airconditioning system and food processing systems. The important field for saving energy was through improving thermal performance, which can provide high performance heat exchanger. Present enhancing approaches can be classified by three changed types, which are passive technique, active technique and compound technique. Dimple, twisted tape and corrugated pipe are the passive heat improvement technique which includes more surface extensions. Hence, this research work concentrates on verifying the computational calculations of flow in the heat exchanger pipe with different surface extensions in the pipe. It is carried out for turbulent flow with a range of Reynolds number from 1000 to 15000 using CFD methods. The numerical outcomes illustrate that change twisted tape configurations have more effect on flow and heat performance. Experimental and numerical results agreement can confirm the simulation technique reliability, which adopts in this investigation. The deviation errors are observed by less than 6% compared with the normal pipe. Pressure drop increases due to the rise of twisted tape dimensions (width and thickness), leading to more mixing of fluid, secondary flow, and swirl flow inside the pipe. As the tape geometrical parameters increase, the f value also increases due to more variance in velocities flow between liquid layers, which are adjacent to tape surfaces a pipe wall, and pipe core flow layers, become higher. Correspondingly, compared to the normal pipe, twisted configurations can rise f about 5.4 to 33.5%. The better thermal evaluation factor is at a twisted tape of 1x1 mm at Re number of about 1000. The range value of the thermal evaluation factor is more than 1.67. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the effect of surface texture on cylinder liner wear is of great importance in many research areas due to the fact that a major part of the mechanical power losses in an engine are caused by friction in the piston-cylinder liner system. Interest from both manufacturers and customers in optimizing this mechanical system seems to be similar. The surface roughness of cylinder liners plays an important role in the control of tribological properties. Cylinder liner surface topography, which affects running-in duration, oil consumption, exhaust gas emissions and engine performance as well, was taken into detailed consideration in this paper. They were measured with a stylus (Talyscan 150) or non-contact—optical (Talysurf CCI Lite white light interferometer) equipment. Precise machining process and accurate measurement equipment may not provide relevant information about surface texture properties when the procedure of processing of received (raw) measured data is not selected appropriately. This work aims to compare various type of procedures for detection and reduction of some-frequency surface topography measurement errors (noise) and consider its influence on the results of wear analysis. It was found that assessments of some extracted areas (profiles) may be much more useful than the characterization of the whole of measured details when noise was defined. Moreover, applications of a commonly-used algorithm, available in the commercial software of the measuring equipment, for measurement errors suppression may be potentially decisive in the definition of measurement noise but, simultaneously, scrupulous attention should be paid if they are implemented adequately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an experimental study to evaluate the possibility of using SLM additive technology to produce structures with specific surface morphological features. Qualitative and quantitative tests were conducted on samples fabricated by 3D printing from titanium (Ti6Al4V)-powder-based material and analysed in direct relation to the possibility of their use in medicine for the construction of femoral stem and models with a specific degree of porosity predicted by process-control in the self-decision-making 3D printing machine. This paper presents the results of the study, limitations of the method, recommendations that should be used in the design of finished products, and design proposals to support the fabrication process of 3D printers. Furthermore, the study contains an evaluation of how the printing direction affects the formation of certain structures on the printed surface. The research can be used in the development of 3D printing standardization, particularly in the consideration of process control and surface control.

Passive heat exchangers (HXs) form an inseparable part of the manufacturing industry as they provide high-efficiency cooling at minimal overhead costs. Along with the aspects of high thermal cooling, it is essential to monitor pressure loss while using plate-fin HXs because pressure loss can introduce additional power costs to a system. In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to look at the effects of dimples on the pressure drop characteristics of single plate-fin heat exchangers. To enable this, different configurations of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) fins with smooth surfaces and 2 mm-diameter dimples, 4 mm-diameter dimples and 6 mm-diameter dimples were designed and 3D printed using fused deposition modelling (FDM) of ABS plastic. The depth to diameter ratio for these dimples was kept constant at 0.3 with varied diameters and depths. These were then tested using a subsonic wind tunnel comprised of inlet and outlet pressure taps as well as a hot wire velocimeter. Measurements were taken for pressure differences as well as average velocity. These were then used to calculate friction factor values and to compare the smooth fin to the dimpled fins in relation to their relative pressure drop performance. It was observed that for lower velocities the 4 mm dimples provided minimum pressure drop, with a difference of 58% when compared to smooth fins. At higher velocities, 6 mm dimples increased the pressure drop by approximately 34% when compared to smooth fins. It can also be concluded from the observed data in this study that shallower dimples produce lower pressure drops compared to deeper dimples when the depth to diameter ratio is kept constant. Accordingly, deeper dimples are more effective in providing drag reduction at lower velocities, whereas shallower dimples are more effective for drag reduction at higher velocities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Heat transfer and pressure loss in swirl cooling tubes with dimples were numerically obtained. • Total heat transfer performance of the swirl tubes with dimples can be increased. • Pressure loss of the swirl tubes with dimples can be decreased. • Dimple depths have appreciable influences on the heat transfer and pressure loss. • Detailed interactions of the swirling flow with dimples at the wall were provided. Abstract This paper presents a numerical study of heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics in a swirl cooling tube with five tangential inlet jets and with dimples on the tube inner surface. The swirl tube has a length of 20 times the tube diameter, and the Reynolds number based on the tube diameter ranges from 10,000 to 40,000. Polyhedral meshes as well as the SST k - ω turbulence model were chosen for the numerical calculations. A swirl cooling system with a smooth tube was investigated as baseline, and comparatively with dimples on the tube inner surface. The results showed different swirling flow and heat transfer patterns in the swirl tubes. Dimples on the tube inner surface can reduce the wetted-area averaged heat transfer coefficient on the tube inner surface. However, the total heat transferred in the dimpled swirl cooling tubes can be increased by up to 7.2% due to the increased heat transfer area and the interactions between the swirling flow and the dimpled wall. On the other hand, the pressure loss in the dimpled tube can be appreciably reduced by up to 17.6% compared with that of the smooth swirl tube. Detailed flow interactions between the jets, the tube wall and the dimples are illustrated to explain the heat transfer change and pressure loss reduction mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper described unique hysteresis phenomena that appear in the hydrodynamic lubrication properties of dimpled thrust bearings. A seal-type thrust bearing specimen was textured with dimples. The load-carrying capacity and frictional torque were measured with a constant film thickness and compared to those of a dimple-free specimen. For examining the size of cavitation bubbles that occurred in various conditions, the lubricating area was observed during experiments. The used dimpled specimen produced the load-carrying capacity, and it exhibited an interesting hysteresis phenomenon, the difference in the values in the increasing and decreasing processes of rotational speed. The visualization test results revealed that the size of cavitation bubbles occurring within the dimples strongly affected this phenomenon. In addition, the dimpled specimen was able to reduce the frictional torque compared to the dimple-free specimen. However, the frictional torque did not show the hysteresis loop similar to that shown in the load-carrying capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of occurrence of surface texture features on the values of surface topography parameters calculated after the application of various data processing techniques was presented. Different types of surface topographies were considered, as follows: cylinder liners, some with additionally burnished dimples, turned, ground, milled, laser-textured, composite, ceramic, or isotropic in general. The effects of feature size on the areal form removal, noise suppressions, or end-effect reducing in surface texture measurements were studied. The variations of the ISO 25178 standard surface topography parameters were taken into consideration in detail. It was assumed that some of the feature sizes, distributions, and densities have a substantial impact on the values of surface topography parameters calculated after applications of regular (commonly used) algorithms and procedures, defined as basic operations, provided for raw surface texture data obtained directly from the measurement process. In the end, some of the practical applications for receiving the relevant values of surface topography parameters were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of surface topography including processes of measurement and data analysis have an influence on the description of machined parts with their tribological performance. Usually, surface roughness is analysed when a scale-limited (S-L) surface, excluding short (S-) and length (L-) components from the raw measured data, is defined. Errors in the precise definition of the S-L surface can cause the false estimation of detail properties, especially its tribological performance. Errors can arise when the surface contains some burnished details such as oil pockets, dimples, scratches, or, generally, deep or wide features. The validation of proposed methods for S-L surface definition can also affect the accuracy of the ISO 25178 surface topography parameter calculation. It was found that the application of commonly used procedures, available in commercial software (e.g., least-square fitted cylinder element or polynomial planes, regular or robust Gaussian regression, spline, median or fast Fourier transform filters) can be suitable for precise S-L surface definition. However, some additional analyses, based on power spectral densities, autocorrelation function, texture direction graphs, or spectral characterisation, are strongly required. The effect of the definition of the S-L surface on the values of the ISO 25178 parameters was also comprehensively studied. Some proposals of guidance on how to define an appropriate S-L surface with, respectively, an objective evaluation of surface roughness parameters, were also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plate heat exchangers including offset-strip fins or dimple-type turbulators have a wide application in the automotive field as oil coolers for internal combustion engines and transmissions. Their optimization is a complex task since it requires targeting different objectives: High compactness, low pressure drop and high heat-transfer efficiency. In this context, the availability of accurate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation models plays an important role during the design phase. In this work, the development of a computational framework for the CFD simulation of compact oil-to-liquid heat exchangers, including offset-strip fins and dimples, is presented. The paper addresses the modeling problem at different scales, ranging from the characteristic size of the turbulator geometry (typically µm–mm) to the full scale of the overall device (typically cm–dm). The simulation framework is based on multi-scale concept, which applies: (a) Detailed simulations for the characterization of the micro-scale properties of the turbulator, (b) an upscaling approach to derive suitable macro-scale models for the turbulators and (c) full-scale simulations of the entire cooler, including the porous models derived for the smaller scales. The model is validated comparing with experimental data under different operating conditions. Then, it is adopted to investigate the details of the fluid dynamics and heat-transfer process, providing guidelines for the optimization of the device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impacts of conflicting aerodynamic forces and side drifting forces are the primary unstable elements in automobiles. The action of an unstable environment in automobile vehicles increases the chance of an accident occurring. As a result, much study is required to determine how opposing aerodynamic forces and side drifting force affects function, as well as how to deal with them for safe and smooth navigation. In this work, an intercity bus is chosen as a main object, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is used to estimate aerodynamic forces on the bus in all major directions. Experimentation is also carried out for validation reasons. CFD findings for a scaled base model and a dimple-loaded model based on experimental results from a subsonic wind tunnel are demonstrated to be correct. The drag forces generated by CFD simulations on test models are carefully compared to the experimental drag findings of same-dimensioned models. The error percentages between the results of these two methods are acquired and the percentages are determined to be within an acceptable range of significant limitations. Following these validations, CATIA is used to create a total of nine distinct models, the first of which is a standard intercity bus, whereas the other eight models are fitted with drag reduction techniques such as dimples, riblets, and fins on the surface of their upper cumulus side. A sophisticated computational tool, ANSYS Fluent 17.2, is used to estimate the comparative assessments of the predictions of aerodynamic force fluctuations on bus models. Finally, dimples on the top and side surfaces of the bus model (DESIGN–I) are proposed as a more efficient model than other models because dimples are a vital component that may lower pressure drag on the bus by 18% in the main flow direction and up to 43% in the sideslip direction. Furthermore, by minimizing the different aerodynamic force sources without impacting the preparatory needs, the proposed model may provide comfortable travel. The real-time bus is created, and the finalized drag reduction is applied to the optimized places over the whole bus model. In addition, five distinct size-based bus models are developed and studied in terms of aerodynamic forces, necessary energy to resist aerodynamic drag, required forward force for successful movement, instantaneous demand for particular power, and fuel consumption rate. Finally, the formation of aeroacoustic noise owing to turbulence is estimated using sophisticated computer simulation. Last, for real-time applications, multi-parametric studies based on appropriate intercity buses are established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minimizing the carbon footprint of the aviation industry is of critical importance for the forthcoming years, allowing the mitigation of climate change through fossil fuel economy. Significant progress toward this goal can be achieved through the aerodynamic optimization of wing surfaces. In a previous study, a custom-designed wing equipped with an Eppler 420 airfoil, including an appendant custom-designed blended winglet, was developed and studied in flight conditions. The present paper researches potential improvements to the aerodynamic behavior of this wing by attempting to regenerate the boundary layer. The main goal was to achieve passive control of the boundary layer, which would be approached by means of two different configurations. In the first case, dimples were added at the points where the separation of the boundary layer was expected, for the majority of the wing surface; in the second case, bumps of the same diameter were added at the same points. Both wings were studied in two different Reynolds (Re) numbers and five angles of attack (AoA). The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were implemented using a pressure-based solver, the spatial discretization was conducted with a second-order upwind scheme, and the k-omega SST (k-ω SST) turbulence model was applied by utilizing the pseudo-transient method. The experimental procedure was conducted in an open-type subsonic flow wind tunnel, for Reynolds 86,000, with 3D-printed models of the wings having undergone suitable surface treatment. The numerical and experimental results converged, showing a degradation in the wing’s aerodynamic performance when bumps were implemented, as well as a slight improvement for the configuration with dimples.

Dimples are small concavities imprinted on a flat surface, known to affect heat transfer and also flow separation and aerodynamic drag on bluff bodies when acting as a standard roughness. Recently, dimples have been proposed as a roughness pattern that is capable of reducing the turbulent drag of a flat plate by providing a reduction of skin friction that compensates the dimple-induced pressure drag and leads to a global benefit. The question whether dimples do actually work to reduce friction drag is still unsettled. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the available information, touching upon the many parameters that characterize the problem. A number of reasons that contribute to explaining the contrasting literature information are discussed. We also provide guidelines for future studies by highlighting key methodological steps required for a meaningful comparison between a flat and dimpled surface in view of drag reduction.

This paper deals with the study of dimple type RF MEMS capacitive shunt switch using different meandering techniques for high isolation and low actuation voltage. The novelty of the proposed RF MEMS switch is it incorporates the meanders and dimples, which help to reduce the actuation voltage. The proposed switch structure is optimized, designed, and simulated with FEM analysis such as electromechanical and electromagnetic by using COMSOL and HFSS tools respectively. The best performance of the switch is observed by varying different parameters such as beam material, beam thickness, dielectric thickness, and airgap. The proposed switch with different meandering techniques attains the pull-in voltage in the range of 10.3-46 V, particularly the three uniform meander technique has low actuation voltage of 10.3 V. The RF performance of the device is particularly tuned in the range of 26.5-40 GHz frequency range and it is analyzed for all types of meanders. Among them, the non-uniform single meander has attained the best isolation of -54.13 dB at 40 GHz in the off state. The insertion and return losses of the device are -0.514 dB and -17.35 dB over 1-40 GHz frequency in on state.

In this paper the influence of oil pockets location on extraction of surface topography features was taken into account. Plateau-honed cylinder liners with additionally added dimples were taken in consideration. The effect of dimples location on application of various procedures (cylinder fitting procedure, polynomial approximation) for areal form removal was taken into account. It was noticed that application of 3rd (or greater) degree of the polynomials can caused false estimation of reference plane; extraction of surface topography features by polynomial approximation cannot provide good results when the dis-tance between dimples is too small. For two-process surfaces (plateau-honed cylindrical elements containing wide and deep valleys) the digital filtering was proposed. Application of robust techniques (robust Gaussian regression filter) allowed for areal form removal improvement. However some of the wide dimples were distorted when the dimple-to-edge distance was too small (smaller than filter bandwidth value).

Passive heat exchangers (HXs) form an inseparable part of the manufacturing industry as they provide high-efficiency cooling at minimal overhead costs. Along with the aspects of high thermal cooling, it is essential to monitor pressure loss while using plate-fin HXs because pressure loss can introduce additional power costs to a system. In this paper, an experimental study was conducted to look at the effects of dimples on the pressure drop characteristics of single plate-fin heat exchangers. To enable this, different configurations of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) fins with smooth surfaces and 2 mm-diameter dimples, 4 mm-diameter dimples and 6 mm-diameter dimples were designed and 3D printed using fused deposition modelling (FDM) of ABS plastic. The depth to diameter ratio for these dimples was kept constant at 0.3 with varied diameters and depths. These were then tested using a subsonic wind tunnel comprised of inlet and outlet pressure taps as well as a hot wire velocimeter. Measurements were taken for pressure differences as well as average velocity. These were then used to calculate friction factor values and to compare the smooth fin to the dimpled fins in relation to their relative pressure drop performance. It was observed that for lower velocities the 4 mm dimples provided minimum pressure drop, with a difference of 58% when compared to smooth fins. At higher velocities, 6 mm dimples increased the pressure drop by approximately 34% when compared to smooth fins. It can also be concluded from the observed data in this study that shallower dimples produce lower pressure drops compared to deeper dimples when the depth to diameter ratio is kept constant. Accordingly, deeper dimples are more effective in providing drag reduction at lower velocities, whereas shallower dimples are more effective for drag reduction at higher velocities.

This paper described unique hysteresis phenomena that appear in the hydrodynamic lubrication properties of dimpled thrust bearings. A seal-type thrust bearing specimen was textured with dimples. The load-carrying capacity and frictional torque were measured with a constant film thickness and compared to those of a dimple-free specimen. For examining the size of cavitation bubbles that occurred in various conditions, the lubricating area was observed during experiments. The used dimpled specimen produced the load-carrying capacity, and it exhibited an interesting hysteresis phenomenon, the difference in the values in the increasing and decreasing processes of rotational speed. The visualization test results revealed that the size of cavitation bubbles occurring within the dimples strongly affected this phenomenon. In addition, the dimpled specimen was able to reduce the frictional torque compared to the dimple-free specimen. However, the frictional torque did not show the hysteresis loop similar to that shown in the load-carrying capacity.

golf ball is a very interesting aerodynamic device. As a sphere, the coefficient of drag should be about 0.48. However, because of the surface of the golf ball, the drag coefficient can be much lower, up to 12%. This paper explores the multitude of ways, designs and concepts that create such a lower drag coefficient, through computational fluid dynamics analysis, and using those findings how to use them when designing new parts to increase the efficiency and reliability of the device that uses said parts while increasing the quality of life of the user of the devices.

A strip steel pad with a polyurethane board pad is suggested to improve the quality of multi-point die forming. In this work, the formability of four different forming processes, namely without a cushion, using a polyurethane pad, using a strip steel pad, and using a strip steel pad with a polyurethane board, was compared via numerical simulations and experiments. The results show that using a strip steel pad with a polyurethane board in multi-point die forming can effectively improve the stress and strain of the blank and suppress the defects of dimpling, straight edge, and wrinkling. This work demonstrates that the use of the strip steel pad with a polyurethane board in the multi-point forming process can improve the sheet forming conditions and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plate heat exchangers including offset-strip fins or dimple-type turbulators have a wide application in the automotive field as oil coolers for internal combustion engines and transmissions. Their optimization is a complex task since it requires targeting different objectives: High compactness, low pressure drop and high heat-transfer efficiency. In this context, the availability of accurate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation models plays an important role during the design phase. In this work, the development of a computational framework for the CFD simulation of compact oil-to-liquid heat exchangers, including offset-strip fins and dimples, is presented. The paper addresses the modeling problem at different scales, ranging from the characteristic size of the turbulator geometry (typically µm−mm) to the full scale of the overall device (typically cm−dm). The simulation framework is based on multi-scale concept, which applies: (a) Detailed simulations for the characterization of the micro-scale properties of the turbulator, (b) an upscaling approach to derive suitable macro-scale models for the turbulators and (c) full-scale simulations of the entire cooler, including the porous models derived for the smaller scales. The model is validated comparing with experimental data under different operating conditions. Then, it is adopted to investigate the details of the fluid dynamics and heat-transfer process, providing guidelines for the optimization of the device.

In this paper, a modified U-shaped micro-actuator with a compliant mechanism is proposed. It was analyzed with a uniform and modified thin arm, as well as a similar variation in the corresponding flexure, in order to observe the impact of the compliant lumped mechanism. The use of these compliant mechanisms implies an increment in the deformation and a reduction in the equivalent stress of 25% and 52.25%, respectively. This characterization was developed using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in ANSYS Workbench. The design, analysis and simulation were developed with Polysilicon. In this study, the following performance parameters were also analyzed: force and temperature distribution. This device is supplied with voltage from 0 V up to 3 V, at room temperature. The modified U-shaped actuator was applied in both arms of a microgripper, and to evaluate its electrothermal performance, a static structural analysis has been carried out in Ansys Workbench. The microgripper has an increment in deformation of 22.33%, an equivalent stress reduction of 50%, and a decrease in operation frequency of 10.8%. The force between its jaws is of 367 µN. This low level of force could be useful when sensitive particles are manipulated.

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