Apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations

A method of providing asymmetric oscillations on a container, the method comprising:

• disposing a fluid and a particle in the container;
• imparting oscillations having an asymmetric waveform to the particle through the fluid by way of a vibration driver attached to the container, wherein the fluid exerts a non-linear drag force responsive to the asymmetric waveform of the oscillations;
• controlling, via a controller coupled with the vibration driver, the imparted oscillations to adjust the non-linear drag force exerted by the fluid on the particle using non-sinusoidal vibrations;
• sensing a plurality of effects of the oscillations of the particle via a plurality of sensors disposed on the vibration driver and coupled with the controller, where each of the plurality of sensors detects and measures a different one of the plurality of effects of the oscillation on the particle;
• receiving, at the controller, a feedback signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors regarding a measurement corresponding to at least one of the detected plurality of effects;
• analyzing the feedback signal to determine a type and a degree of adjustment of the oscillation required to achieve a desired effect on the particle;
• and
• outputting a second signal to adjust an asymmetric characteristic of the oscillation in accordance with the determined type and amount of adjustment based on the feedback signal analysis.