Robotic hands for dexterous manipulation and robust grasping have always been in high demand. Many applications of pneumatic devices are enabled due to recent developments in pneumatic actuation technology, for which previously only electric motors were suitable. Low stiffness and direct drive capabilities of pneumatic actuators enable smooth compliant geared electric motor systems. A new robot...

In this research, a new approach is proposed to enhance the authority of piezoelectric actuators without the trade off between force and stroke. Through mechanical tailoring, the resonance frequencies of the actuator system can be tuned to the required actuation frequencies. This obviously will increase the authority (both stroke and force) of the actuator. However, resonant actuators could be ...

In conventional internal combustion (IC) engines, engine valve displacements are fixed relative to crankshaft position. If these valves are actuated as a variable function of crankshaft angle, significant improvements in fuel economy can be achieved. Existing electromagnetically actuated variable-valve-timing (VVT) systems characteristically use springs to provide the large inertial power to mo...

Minimizing the invasiveness of surgery is believed to improve patient outcomes. Bleeding, infection, and pain are major concerns in surgery afflicting patients for decades. Minimally invasive techniques have come into play to reduce these concerns and smooth the evolution of abdominal surgery to a scarless process where nearly all surgeries can be performed without a skin incision. Technology c...

This study demonstrates the successful induction of a unidirectional ionic wind by adding an embedded electrode in coplanar discharge, thus breaking generation symmetrical electric field. The strategy for is based on separating ionization process and charged-particle acceleration process. Conventional plasma actuators used to induce typically incorporate exposed electrodes that pose risk unexpe...