SEMINARIO: Airborne ultrasonics: Applications in haptics, fabrication, displays and matter manipulation

Abstract:
Ultrasound technology is a cornerstone of innovation, with applications spanning a vast array of scientific disciplines. Its capabilities range from non-invasive medical imaging and therapy to the precise manipulation of particles through acoustophoresis or acoustic levitation. This versatility has established ultrasound as a flourishing research field. In UPNALAB we integrate it with principles from computer science, physics, electronics, mechanics, and chemistry to engineer groundbreaking interactive devices. This seminar will present the most recent projects from UPNALAB, focusing on the use of airborne ultrasound for matter manipulation, fabrication, and human-computer-interaction. The presentation will explore: the development of «reach-through» volumetric displays that create tangible, mid-air images; the use of ultrasound to shape and control electric-plasma-based haptic feedback for contactless tactile sensations; the application of ultrasonic microuidics for the diverse manipulation of liquids; and the acoustic trapping of elongated objects, a technique paving the way for contactless assembly. Furthermore, we will explore methods for enhancing the quality of acoustic patterns using time-multiplexed virtual fields. To provide a broader context, the seminar will also touch upon related projects, illustrating the close coexistence of diverse disciplines within our research laboratory. Hopefully, together we will offer a fresh perspective on the potential of ultrasound, fostering curiosity and sparking an engaging discussion that may lead to even more novel applications and collaborations.

Fig 1 A) Reach-through Volumetric Display; B) Contactless haptic patterns using Electric Sparks; C) Microfluidic platform using ultrasound and hydrophobic meshes; D) Acoustic trapping of elongated parts for contactless fabrication; E) Electric Plasma guided with ultrasonic
fields; F) Time-multiplexed virtual acoustic fields.

About the speaker:
Iñigo Ezcurdia received the B.Eng. and M.Sc. degrees in computer science from the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), Pamplona, Spain, where he also obtained his Ph.D. degree in computer science with a dissertation focused on the optimization of acoustic elds for matter manipulation and contactless fabrication. He has been a lecturer at UPNA since 2018 and currently holds an Assistant Professor (Profesor Ayudante Doctor) position. His research interests include ultrasound levitation, fabrication, haptics, human-computer interaction, and displays.