Spring Constant Values Research Articles

Analysis and effect of lateral forces on Micropiles

Micro piles are small diameter pile (less than 300mm). Micro piles are generally used when there are difficult ground conditions, such as natural or man-made obstructions, sensitive ground with adjacent structures, limited access/low headroom. Micro piles are small diameter drilled and grouted friction piles. Each pile includes steel elements that are bonded into the bearing soil or rock – usually with cement grout. The bearing stratum is logged during installation drilling to assure that bearing capacity is adequate. This chapter presents a summary of various parameters defining the computational models. The bearing capacity and spring constant values for different pile diameter and different length is studied in this paper. Also, lateral pressure is also checked on the pile. The software SAFE 2016 used for the analysis of model.

Protocol for Directing Nudged Elastic Band Calculations to the Minimum Energy Pathway: Nurturing Errant Calculations Back to Convergence.

The combination of density functional theory (DFT) and the nudged elastic band (NEB) method offers a practical tool for the discovery of underlying reaction mechanisms related to the synthesis of functional materials. However, in practice, the lack of a standardized protocol for minimum energy pathway determination too often leads to an inefficient and computationally intensive design process. To that end, we define a verifiable DFT+NEB protocol for efficiently locating and confirming the transition state of a reaction. To test this assertion, we curate 226 unique reactions within 14 classes of reactions and investigate their performance in terms of the number of NEB iterations they require to locate the transition state and an estimate of the associated mean absolute error. Leveraging this protocol, we demonstrate its application for an initial set of parameters: number of frames, Nframes = 11; maximum step size, Smax = 0.04 Å; optimizer = LBFGS; and spring constant, kspr = 0.1 eV/Å2. We report a convergence rate of 73% and find that a root-mean-square force (FRMS) of 0.01 eV/Å provides a "rule of thumb" below which NEB simulations are likely to converge. Venturing beyond this baseline enquiry, we delineate the effect on performance of altering the number of frames, maximum step size, choice of optimizer and spring constant. We find improvements in performance with increasing Nframes and Smax, ostensibly approaching some asymptotic limit. We also see substantial improvement in efficiency with the LBFGS optimizer and a clear minimum in performance for the spring constant value of 0.1 eV/Å2. Finally, we provide five case studies that demonstrate typical convergence issues for NEB simulations and suggest methods to overcome them. Our results provide specific and transferable recommendations, offering a transparent and practical tool for beginner and expert researchers alike toward a more rational NEB simulation design.

A parameter reduced adaptive quasi-linear viscoelastic model for soft biological tissue in uniaxial tension

Mechanical characterisation of soft viscous materials is essential for many applications including aerospace industries, material models for surgical simulation, and tissue mimicking materials for anatomical models. Constitutive material models are, therefore, necessary to describe soft biological tissues in physiologically relevant strain ranges. Hereby, the adaptive quasi-linear viscoelastic (AQLV) model enables accurate modelling of the strain-dependent non-linear viscoelastic behaviour of soft tissues with a high flexibility. However, the higher flexibility produces a large number of model parameters.In this study, porcine muscle and liver tissue samples were modelled in the framework of the originally published AQLV (3-layers of Maxwell elements) model using four incremental ramp-hold experiments in uniaxial tension. AQLV model parameters were reduced by decreasing model layers (M) as well as the number of experimental ramp-hold steps (N).Leave One out cross validation tests show that the original AQLV model (3M4N) with 19 parameters, accurately describes porcine muscle tissue with an average R2 of 0.90 and porcine liver tissue, R2 of 0.86. Reducing the number of layers (N) in the model produced acceptable model fits for 1-layer (R2 of 0.83) and 2-layer models (R2 of 0.89) for porcine muscle tissue and 1-layer (R2 of 0.84) and 2-layer model (R2 of 0.85) for porcine liver tissue. Additionally, a 2 step (2N) ramp-hold experiment was performed on additional samples of porcine muscle tissue only to further reduce model parameters. Calibrated spring constant values for 2N ramp-hold tests parameters k1 and k2 had a 16.8% and 38.0% deviation from those calibrated for a 4 step (4N) ramp hold experiment. This enables further reduction of material parameters by means of step reduction, effectively reducing the number of parameters required to calibrate the AQLV model from 19 for a 3M4N model to 8 for a 2M2N model, with the added advantage of reducing the time per experiment by 50%.This study proposes a ’reduced-parameter’ AQLV model (2M2N) for the modelling of soft biological tissues at finite strain ranges. Sequentially, the comparison of model parameters of soft tissues is easier and the experimental burden is reduced.

Effect of Electromagnetic Damping on System Performance of Voice-Coil Actuator Applied to Balancing-Type Scale

Changing a time-varying magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF) in non-magnetic conductive materials, resulting in an eddy current across the conductor. Thus, electromagnetic damping can be used as viscous damping. This study theoretically and experimentally investigates the electromagnetic damping characteristics of a bobbin-wounded coil with an attached cantilever beam floating over a permanent magnet; the beam is balanced by electromagnetic force compensation (EMFC) instead of applied weight. System identification is carried out for the mass (m), damping coefficient (c), and spring constant (k) values. The presence of a back EMF seen in either conductive or non-conductive material responses in the experiments includes the step input and corresponding output responses to measure the electromagnetic damping force with and without a voice-coil actuator (VCA). The results were validated using bobbins of conductive (aluminum) and non-conductive (plastic) materials. The experimental results for the conductive material show that the electromagnetic damping force is 10 times greater than that of the non-conductive material; the opposite was true in the case without a VCA, where the force was almost zero for the non-conductive material. In conclusion, conductivity is directly related to the electromagnetic damping force, which affects the performance of a VCA.

Comparison between the use of acceleration sensor and video tracker on smartphone for spring oscillation experiment

Nowadays, mechanical experiments such as spring oscillations for high schools and colleges have been developed using smartphones. This study aims to compare the use of acceleration sensors and video tracker available on smartphones for free and damped spring oscillation experiments. This experiment used varying load masses. In experiments using acceleration sensors, acceleration versus time data were obtained, while experiments using a video tracker got position versus time data. The data were then calculated to obtain the spring constant value and the damping coefficient are obtained. The experimental results showed that for experiments using the acceleration sensor, the spring constant values k = (11.8 ± 0.2) N m−1. For experiments using a video tracker the spring constant values k = (12.1 ± 0.4) N m−1. Experiments using the acceleration sensor can explain the acceleration trends that change periodically whereas when we use a video tracker it explains the trends in positions that change periodically. But, based on the standard deviation, showing that experiments using acceleration sensors obtain more precise results. We hope that mechanical experiment using smartphone acceleration sensors can be applied in physics laboratories on high schools and colleges, because that is easy, inexpensive, and also the results are more precise.

DESAIN RANSEL PENGHASIL LISTRIK DENGAN MEMANFAATKAN TENAGA GERAK BERJALAN MANUSIA

Energy is something that cannot be separated from human life because every activity carried out requires and produces energy. From some energy sources, there are activities carried out by the human body which are the potential to produce energy that can be utilized. One of the human activities that are often done is walking and running so that from this movement energy sources can be created. In this study, the calculation and design of backpacks with changes in length variations, variations in spring constants, and optimization of generators to produce electrical energy are better. This research began by designing a backpack that generates electricity by utilizing the power of human walking. Then the determination of product requirements is related to gathering information and products to be designed. Information obtained from previous research journals. Next, a study was carried out on the design of a backpack related to the calculation of the frequency of human gait needed to move a backpack and the calculation of springs. In this study, the results obtained are the voltage generated when the human condition goes by 3.863 watts, and when the human condition goes upstairs by 4.56 watts, while the running condition is 5.39 watts. So that the more movements humans make, the higher the voltage generated. And the resulting spring constant value is Ktotal = 22,612 N / m, and for the unit spring constant is 11,306 N / m. While the magnitude of the force produced by the load is 17.48 N .

Residual stress compensated silicon nitride microcantilever array with integrated poly-Si piezoresistor for gas sensing applications

This work reports a novel method of microfabrication for silicon nitride based piezoresistive microcantilever device, to minimize the residual stress induced bending. The microcantilever of dimension L × W ~ 250 × 100 µm2 with stack (Si3N4/Poly-Si/Si3N4/SiO2) thickness ~ 1 µm was realized, by using standard six masks and bulk silicon micromachining fabrication process. In order to compensate the residual inbuilt stress, asymmetric structure layers for microcantilever was proposed and the presence of thin oxide layer underneath the released microcantilever stack was used to control the bending. The surface profiler measurement results showed the curvature bending in the range of ~ 4 ± 3 µm. The microcantilever was characterized further to evaluate its physical parameters such as mechanical deflection sensitivity and spring constant. The deflection sensitivity and spring constant values were ~ 0.161 ppm/nm and ~ 0.2 N/m, respectively. Finally, the practical application of fabricated piezoresistive microcantilevers was demonstrated by using it for explosive vapors sensing.

Spring constant and sensitivity calibration of FluidFM micropipette cantilevers for force spectroscopy measurements

The fluidic force microscope (FluidFM) can be considered as the nanofluidic extension of the atomic force microscope (AFM). This novel instrument facilitates the experimental procedure and data acquisition of force spectroscopy (FS) and is also used for the determination of single-cell adhesion forces (SCFS) and elasticity. FluidFM uses special probes with an integrated nanochannel inside the cantilevers supported by parallel rows of pillars. However, little is known about how the properties of these hollow cantilevers affect the most important parameters which directly scale the obtained spectroscopic data: the inverse optical lever sensitivity (InvOLS) and the spring constant (k). The precise determination of these parameters during calibration is essential in order to gain reliable, comparable and consistent results with SCFS. Demonstrated by our literature survey, the standard error of previously published SCFS results obtained with FluidFM ranges from 11.8% to 50%. The question arises whether this can be accounted for biological diversity or may be the consequence of improper calibration. Thus the aim of our work was to investigate the calibration accuracy of these parameters and their dependence on: (1) the aperture size (2, 4 and 8 µm) of the hollow micropipette type cantilever; (2) the position of the laser spot on the back of the cantilever; (3) the substrate used for calibration (silicon or polystyrene). It was found that both the obtained InvOLS and spring constant values depend significantly on the position of the laser spot. Apart from the theoretically expectable monotonous increase in InvOLS (from the tip to the base of the cantilever, as functions of the laser spot’s position), we discerned a well-defined and reproducible fluctuation, which can be as high as ±30%, regardless of the used aperture size or substrate. The calibration of spring constant also showed an error in the range of −13/+20%, measured at the first 40 µm of the cantilever. Based on our results a calibration strategy is proposed and the optimal laser position which yields the most reliable spring constant values was determined and found to be on the first pair of pillars. Our proposed method helps in reducing the error introduced via improper calibration and thus increases the reliability of subsequent cell adhesion force or elasticity measurements with FluidFM.

Analysis of multirepresentation on material elasticity properties

This study aims to analyze the ability of students in the skills to represent a data on the subject of material elasticity properties. Samples were taken randomly, consist of 10 students of X-DPIB-C SMK N 2 Wonogiri academic year 2017/2018. This study used descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected using questionnaires and reports on student experimental results. Students conducted Hooke’s experiments to find the spring constant value of 5 experiments. At the conclusion of the experimental results, 9 of 10 students rewrote the average value of spring constant constants without describing the data. Based on the results of the study, 90% of students have difficulty in describing an information from quantitative data.

Required Separation to Mitigate Pounding of Adjacent Building Blocks

This research discusses the feasibility of using the required minimum separation distance based on SBC 301-2007. Moment resistance frames were designed with expansion joints requiring 400mm separation distance. Nonlinear response history analysis was conducted with four ground motions selected and scaled to match the risk-targeted response spectrum of NEOM city based on ASCE 7-16 provisions. An equivalent spring constant value based on floor lateral stiffness was selected as a gap link stiffness. Finally, an evaluation for the pounding response of adjacent blocks is presented along with the conclusions.

In silico Description of LAT1 Transport Mechanism at an Atomistic Level.

The molecular mechanism of transport mediated by LAT1, a sodium-independent antiporter of large neutral amino acids, was investigated through in silico procedures, specifically making reference to two transported substrates, tyrosine (Tyr) and leucine methyl ester (LME), and to 3,5-diiodo-L-tyrosine (DIT), a well-known LAT1 inhibitor. Two models of the transporter were built by comparative modeling, with LAT1 either in an outward-facing (OF) or in an inward-facing (IF) conformation, based, respectively, on the crystal structure of AdiC and of GadC. As frequently classic Molecular Dynamics (MD) fails to monitor large-scale conformational transitions within a reasonable simulated time, the OF structure was equilibrated for 150 ns then processed through targeted MD (tMD). During this procedure, an elastic force pulled the OF structure to the IF structure and induced, at the same time, substrates/inhibitor to move through the transport channel. This elastic force was modulated by a spring constant (k) value; by decreasing its value from 100 to 70, it was possible to comparatively account for the propensity for transport of the three tested molecules. In line with our expectations, during the tMD simulations, Tyr and LME behaved as substrates, moving down the transport channel, or most of it, for all k values. On the contrary, DIT behaved as an inhibitor, being (almost) transported across the channel only at the highest k value (100). During their transit through the channel, Tyr and LME interacted with specific amino acids (first with Phe252 then with Thr345, Arg348, Tyr259, and Phe262); this suggests that a primary as well as a putative secondary gate may contribute to the transport of substrates. Quite on the opposite, DIT appeared to establish only transient interactions with side chains lining the external part of the transport channel. Our tMD simulations could thus efficiently discriminate between two transported substrates and one inhibitor, and therefore can be proposed as a benchmark for developing novel LAT1 inhibitors of pharmacological interest.

An improved analytical and finite element method model of nanoelectromechanical system based micromachined ultrasonic transducers

This paper accurately models the silicon nitride membrane displacement profile of nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The general analytical model is proposed for the linear and non-linear region of operation with the choice of the appropriate spring constant value. Calculated results are validated with 2-D finite element method (FEM) solver PZFLEX. Full 3-D simulations are carried out to show that for a constant area the circular geometry gives maximum displacement followed by hexagonal and square membranes, respectively. Variation of the membrane displacement with its thicknesses, radii, the electrode separation and voltages are plotted. These demonstrate how a CMUT membrane's displacement can be optimized with a change in structural geometries and biases which is a necessary condition for obtaining the required sensitivity. The model evaluates the collapse voltage very close to experimental and FEM results. The dependency of the resonances on the thickness of the membrane is evaluated. Though this phenomenon is not noticed in the available literature, the FEM results support it. The FEM strain profile also reveals that at the operating biases the structure is working well under its strain limit as predicted by the analytical model.

Evaluation and optimization of quartz resonant-frequency retuned fork force sensors with high Q factors, and the associated electric circuits, for non-contact atomic force microscopy.

High-Q factor retuned fork (RTF) force sensors made from quartz tuning forks, and the electric circuits for the sensors, were evaluated and optimized to improve the performance of non-contact atomic force microscopy (nc-AFM) performed under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. To exploit the high Q factor of the RTF sensor, the oscillation of the RTF sensor was excited at its resonant frequency, using a stray capacitance compensation circuit to cancel the excitation signal leaked through the stray capacitor of the sensor. To improve the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio in the detected signal, a small capacitor was inserted before the input of an operational (OP) amplifier placed in an UHV chamber, which reduced the output noise from the amplifier. A low-noise, wideband OP amplifier produced a superior S/N ratio, compared with a precision OP amplifier. The thermal vibrational density spectra of the RTF sensors were evaluated using the circuit. The RTF sensor with an effective spring constant value as low as 1000 N/m provided a lower minimum detection limit for force differentiation. A nc-AFM image of a Si(111)-7 × 7 surface was produced with atomic resolution using the RTF sensor in a constant frequency shift mode; tunneling current and energy dissipation images with atomic resolution were also simultaneously produced. The high-Q factor RTF sensor showed potential for the high sensitivity of energy dissipation as small as 1 meV/cycle and the high-resolution analysis of non-conservative force interactions.

滲出性中耳炎による鼓膜の物理的特性の変化

Detecting changes in the physical characteristics of the eardrum by ocular inspection is difficult. Herein, we propose an alternative method for the quantitative detection of such changes using an acoustic conductance tympanogram, termed as G tympanograms, which exhibit the real part of acoustic admittance. The middle ear, including the eardrum, can be modeled using a mechano-acoustic system with physical parameters comprising mass, spring, and friction, and we have developed a procedure to numerically evaluate these parameters. We report the results obtained thus far and discuss their significance and implications. Specifically, we performed pure tone audiometry, 226-Hz tympanometry, and rigid endoscope otoscopy on 175 children aged 5-13 years. Of 350 total ears, we selected 248 ears with normal hearing levels, type A tympanogram, no effusion in the middle ear, non-retracted eardrums, and no eardrum calcification. We measured the distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and performed four-frequency (i.e., 226, 678, 800 and 1000 Hz) tympanometry. From the latter analysis, we extracted G-tympanograms, which enabled us to calculate the above-mentioned parameters, the spring constant in particular, for each of the 248 selected ears. We classified these ears into three groups: group I (68 ears), which showed no evidence of acute otitis media (OMA) or otitis media with effusion (OME); group II (68 ears), which showed evidence of OMA but not of OME; and group III (112 ears), which showed evidence of OME and OMA. We found that ears in group III had reduced spring constants, even after apparently recovering from OME. We also found a strong correlation between the spring constant and OAE value, which suggests that eardrums with low OAE values tend to have reduced spring constants. Because DPOAE-measurement is much easier to perform than four-frequency tympanometry, we suggest that DPOAE is a practical means of detecting reduced spring constants.

Lumped Electromechanical Modeling of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

Conventional plane piston lead zirconium titanate (PZT) based transducers perform poorly for audio speakers and as capacitance receivers due to the lack of proper matching layer materials. Conventional designs have relatively large gaps, 50-100 μm, and use the air in the gap as the restoring force of the vibrating electrode. With the help of silicon micromachining, Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs) are defined. The gaps are made to be as small as 500Å, and the restoring force of the vibrating electrode is the stiffness of the electrode itself. In this paper, a single CMUT element is represented by the lumped electromechanical model. It is realized with comparison of the experimental and simulated outcomes that a single spring constant value is not sufficient to faithfully describe the entire region of operation of CMUT. The search results in two optimized values of spring constants, one fits well to describe the low bias voltage region and the other the collapse voltage regime, where the membrane touches the substrate and is unable to produce vibrations. The membrane displacement behavior under static bias is analyzed. It is found that the displacement at the centre of the membrane is a function of not only the bias but depends highly on the membrane structural geometries and physical characteristics. CMUT membrane’s displacement can be optimized with a change in the above which is a necessary condition for obtaining the required sensitivity. Numerical calculations are done with the help of MATLAB and Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations are aimed with help of PZFlex.

Large Amplitude Vibration Analysis of Graphene Sheets as Resonant Mass Sensors Using Mixed Pseudo-Spectral and Integral Quadrature Methods

The present paper investigates the potential application of graphene sheets with attached nanoparticles as resonant sensors by introducing a nonlocal shear deformation plate model. To take into account an elastic connection between the nanoplate and the attached nanoparticle, the nanoparticle is considered as a mass-spring system. Then, a combination of pseudo-spectral and integral quadrature methods is implemented to numerically determine the frequency shift caused by the attached mass-spring system for both clamped and simply supported boundary conditions. The obtained results are in a good agreement with those available in the literature, which reveals that the proposed combined method provides accurate results for structural problems related to concentrated objects. The results show that for soft connections with small spring constant values, the predicted frequency shift is greater than for rigid connections. This means that considering a rigid connection instead of elastic one will underestimate the frequency shift of nano resonant sensors. Additionally, it is shown that neglecting nonlocal small scale parameter results in overestimating the frequency shift of nano resonant sensors. The presented results can be useful as a guideline for designing plane shape nano resonant sensors like graphene-based mass sensors.

Agent-Based Modeling Traction Force Mediated Compaction of Cell-Populated Collagen Gels Using Physically Realistic Fibril Mechanics

Agent-based modeling was used to model collagen fibrils, composed of a string of nodes serially connected by links that act as Hookean springs. Bending mechanics are implemented as torsional springs that act upon each set of three serially connected nodes as a linear function of angular deflection about the central node. These fibrils were evaluated under conditions that simulated axial extension, simple three-point bending and an end-loaded cantilever. The deformation of fibrils under axial loading varied <0.001% from the analytical solution for linearly elastic fibrils. For fibrils between 100 μm and 200 μm in length experiencing small deflections, differences between simulated deflections and their analytical solutions were <1% for fibrils experiencing three-point bending and <7% for fibrils experiencing cantilever bending. When these new rules for fibril mechanics were introduced into a model that allowed for cross-linking of fibrils to form a network and the application of cell traction force, the fibrous network underwent macroscopic compaction and aligned between cells. Further, fibril density increased between cells to a greater extent than that observed macroscopically and appeared similar to matrical tracks that have been observed experimentally in cell-populated collagen gels. This behavior is consistent with observations in previous versions of the model that did not allow for the physically realistic simulation of fibril mechanics. The significance of the torsional spring constant value was then explored to determine its impact on remodeling of the simulated fibrous network. Although a stronger torsional spring constant reduced the degree of quantitative remodeling that occurred, the inclusion of torsional springs in the model was not necessary for the model to reproduce key qualitative aspects of remodeling, indicating that the presence of Hookean springs is essential for this behavior. These results suggest that traction force mediated matrix remodeling may be a robust phenomenon not limited to fibrils with a precise set of material properties.

A simplified cervix model in response to induction balloon in pre-labour

BackgroundInduction of labour is poorly understood even though it is performed in 20% of births in the United States. One method of induction, the balloon dilator applied with traction to the interior os of the cervix, engages a softening process, permitting dilation and effacement to proceed until the beginning of active labour. The purpose of this work is to develop a simple model capable of reproducing the dilation and effacement effect in the presence of a balloon.MethodsThe cervix, anchored by the uterus and the endopelvic fascia was modelled in pre-labour. The spring-loaded, double sliding-joint, double pin-joint mechanism model was developed with a Modelica-compatible system, MapleSoft MapleSim 6.1, with a stiff Rosenbrock solver and 1E-4 absolute and relative tolerances. Total simulation time for pre-labour was seven hours and simulations ended at 4.50 cm dilation diameter and 2.25 cm effacement.ResultsThree spring configurations were tested: one pin joint, one sliding joint and combined pin-joint-sliding-joint. Feedback, based on dilation speed modulated the spring values, permitting controlled dilation. Dilation diameter speed was maintained at 0.692 cm·hr-1 over the majority of the simulation time. In the sliding-joint-only mode the maximum spring constant value was 23800 N·m-1. In pin-joint-only the maximum spring constant value was 0.41 N·m·rad-1. With a sliding-joint-pin-joint pair the maximum spring constants are 2000 N·m-1 and 0.41 N·m·rad-1, respectively.ConclusionsThe model, a simplified one-quarter version of the cervix, is capable of maintaining near-constant dilation rates, similar to published clinical observations for pre-labour. Lowest spring constant values are achieved when two springs are used, but nearly identical tracking of dilation speed can be achieved with only a pin joint spring. Initial and final values for effacement and dilation also match published clinical observations. These results provide a framework for development of electro-mechanical phantoms for induction training, as well as dilator testing and development.

Experimental determination of mode correction factors for thermal method spring constant calibration of AFM cantilevers using laser Doppler vibrometry

Mode correction factors (MCFs) represent a significant adjustment to the spring constant values measured using the thermal cantilever calibration method. Usually, the ideal factor of 0.971 for a tipless rectangular cantilever is used, which adjusts the value by 3% for the first flexural mode. An experimental method for determining MCFs has been developed that relies on measuring the areas under the first few resonance peaks for the flexural mode type. Using this method, it has been shown that MCFs for the first flexural mode of commercially available atomic force microscope cantilevers actually vary from 0.95 to 1.0, depending on the shape and end mass of the cantilever. Triangular shaped cantilevers tend to lower MCFs with tipless versions providing the lowest values. Added masses (including tips) tend to increase the first flexural mode’s MCF to higher values with large colloid probes at the high extreme. Using this understanding and applying it to the recently developed laser Doppler vibrometry thermal calibration method it is now possible to achieve very accurate and precise cantilever spring constant calibrations (uncertainties close to ±1%) with commonly available commercial cantilevers such as tipped rectangular and triangular cantilevers, and colloid probes.

Measurement of microcantilever spring constants for probing receptor‐ligand bonding

The force dependence of receptor–ligand bonding has been extensively studied in biophysics. Microcantilevers are a type of spring‐based force sensor and their spring constants were characterized using different methods to check that the measurements were consistent. Microcantilevers made from E‐glass fibers with a nominal diameter of 4 μm and lengths from 3–7 mm were mounted in viewing chambers and imaged under a microscope with a 100× oil immersion lens. Multiple sets of images for each microcantilever were captured at 50–800 frames per second and analyzed using custom LabVIEW IMAQ image processing program. The microcantilever intensity profile was used to find the edges (represented by two intensity troughs). The equipartition theorem was used to find spring constant values from displacements of the edges in the time domain. These were found to decrease with increasing cantilever length as expected from elastic theory. Fluctuations were also studied in frequency domain. The Power Spectral Density of the microcantilever displacements was fitted to a Lorentzian. The spring constants calculated from the Lorentzian parameters were consistent with the results from the equipartition theorem. This work was supported with funding from the Ohio University Biomimetic Nanoscience and NanoTechnology Program.