A straightforward determination of fluid viscosity and density using microcantilevers: Analytical and experimental studies

AbstractVibrating microcantilevers can be used to measure density and viscosity of surrounding fluids. The classical procedure involves experimental acquisition of the deflection spectrum of the beam, but a systematic calibration step is mandatory for obtaining viscosity and density. In the present study, a method is proposed to facilitate these measurements for Newtonian fluids with only one calibration step in the cantilever lifetime. Our approach is based on approximating the deflection spectrum with a secondorder transfer function and determining a simple analytical relationship between viscosity, density and the parameters of the transfer function. Fluid parameters determination results are shown for validation and discussed