TY - CONF A1 - You, Yi T1 - MicroPhase: An Open-Source Flexible Ultrasonic Phased Array Based on Microcontrollers N2 - The use of resonant acoustic fields has gained significant attention due to their capability for contactless manipulation of objects in the open air and other media, referred to as ultrasonic levitation. To overcome the limitations in air-coupling efficiency, Langevin-type ultrasonic transducers are often employed, as they can operate at relatively high power, ranging from several tens to thousands of watts. However, such platforms typically lack the ability to move acoustically trapped objects efficiently, often requiring additional mechanical structures for even basic motion control, such as translation. In contrast, ultrasonic phased arrays offer clear advantages by leveraging their inherent beam-forming capabilities, which allows for dynamic shaping of acoustic fields in situ. Unfortunately, phased array control systems are not readily accessible, particularly when specific geometric or performance criteria must be met. Most commercially available phased array controllers are designed to operate in the MHz range; those are suitable only for high acoustic impedance media, such as water. Conversely, platforms for open-air applications typically utilize ultrasonic speakers operating at 40 kHz. In both cases, these systems are built on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). However, interfacing FPGAs with computers and developing FPGA firmware (e.g., in VHDL) can be technically demanding, and analog components such as power amplifiers further complicate the system design. These limitations severely restrained the use of flexible ultrasonic levitations in analytical chemistry. Here, we present a novel platform for controlling ultrasonic phased arrays using single modern microcontrollers. This platform leverages the connectivity features of microcontrollers, allowing straightforward interfacing with computers via common programming languages (e.g., Python). The system employs fast direct memory access (DMA) to control up-to 256 ultrasonic transducers with a resolution of 0.5 µs, which is suitable for air-based applications in the 20-50 kHz range. Additionally, the platform can interface with traditional Langevin-type transducers, enabling their conversion into phased arrays. Optical characterization of acoustic field optimization is also discussed. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Acoustic ion manipulation PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64112 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - You, Yi T1 - Acoustic Ion Manipulation (AIM) N2 - The precise control of gaseous ions is a cornerstone in ion-based spectrometry and other disciplines such as materials processing. Traditional high-pressure ion optics rely on electrostatic and magnetic fields that often demand the use of intense electric fields, radio frequency activation, complex geometrical arrangements, or partially transmissive grids. Consequently, the efficiencies of such devices tend to be low or they require large footprints, as ion motions under ambient conditions are governed aerodynamically by collisions and fluid dynamics. However, from a different perspective and holistic reasoning, the limitations posed by collisions, aerodynamics, and other factors that hinder ion control in the open-air suggested an innovative direction for ion manipulation. Our study introduces a novel method that employs low-power standing acoustic waves to effectively manipulate ion beams. We observe that ions distinctively prefer traveling through areas of static pressure within the acoustic field, identified as "nodes." In contrast, neutral gases are unaffected by the acoustic field structure and continue to move along a straight trajectory. We have named this method Acoustic Ion Manipulation (AIM). Initial studies demonstrated selective and efficient manipulations of ion with AIM, including gating, redirection, regional dispersion, and focusing. This technique broadens the scope of ion manipulation strategies at high pressures while enriching our fundamental understanding of ion-acoustic kinetics. The potential applications of this method are vast, promising significant advancements in the fields of analytical chemistry, environmental science, and beyond. T2 - ANAKON 2025 CY - Leipzig, Germany DA - 10.03.2025 KW - Acoustic ion manipulation KW - Mass spectrometry PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64110 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -