Date of Award

6-2016

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Johnson A. Asumadu

Second Advisor

Dr. Ikhlas Abdel-Qader

Third Advisor

Dr. Ala I. Al-Fuqaha

Keywords

Nanoparticles, gyroscope, magnetism, physics, engineering, sensor

Abstract

A new sensor using magnetic nanoparticles and rotating magnetic fields has been developed. By spinning the nanoparticles in a rotating magnetic field, it is feasible to infer angular position and inertia if an external force is applied to the system. The nanoparticles are treated as a multitude of miniature gyroscopes whose overall effect can be combined as one single gyroscope. Two sensors were built to test the feasibility, both containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

The typical input current was 250 milliamps. When the sensor deviated from its magnetic axis by a small angle, the input current changed between 1 and 2 milliamps from the maximum input current Nanoparticles immersed in water had a more dramatic response than those suspended in toluene. The response was not completely predictable as some interactions during a disturbance were not accounted for. The sensor was effective if the angle changes are at 100 Hz or slower frequencies. When the sensor was returned to its original starting state at the end of a test, the output did not always return to the starting state output. This was attributed to not driving the magnetic nanoparticles hard enough into saturation.

The proposed sensor design is simple to construct, easy to control, and its position is easy to obtain. The output is predictable and has a relatively useful bandwidth for most portable applications. It has environmental limitations and low signal constraints, but both can be overcome with better materials and filtering techniques.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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