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U.S. Department of Energy
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Measuring liquid properties with smooth- and textured-surface resonators

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/139545· OSTI ID:139545

The sensitivity of quartz resonators to surface mass accumulation enables their use in a number of sensing applications. The linear change in resonant frequency that occurs with mass accumulation allows the device to function as a general-purpose gravimetric detector or ``microbalance.`` The device is easily instrumented as a sensor by incorporating it as the frequency-control element of an oscillator circuit. The response of thickness shear mode (TSM) resonators in liquids is examined. Smooth-surface devices, which viscously entrain a layer of contacting liquid, respond to the product of liquid density and viscosity. Textured-surface devices, which also trap liquid in surface features, exhibit an additional response that depends on liquid density alone. Combining smooth and textured resonators in a monolithic sensor allows simultaneous measurement of liquid density and viscosity.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789; AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
139545
Report Number(s):
SAND--93-1565C; CONF-9306205--2; CONF-9406199--1; ON: DE93019433
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English