Ionic actuators have attracted attention due to their remarkably large strain under low-voltage stimulation. Because actuation performance is mainly dominated by the electrochemical and electromechanical processes of the electrode layer, the electrode material and structure are crucial. Here, we report a graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet electrode-based ionic actuator that displays high electr...

We have developed a new magnetic actuation process for hinged, surface micromachined structures to assemble threedimensional optical devices with high efficiency and high yield. Electroplated magnetic material (Permalloy) is integrated with two types of hinged microstructures and the magnetic actuation process has been experimentally characterized. Under a given external magnetic field, the ang...

In this paper we consider some questions in the design of actuators for physical Human-Robot Interaction (pHRI) under strict safety requirements in all circumstances, including unexpected impacts and HW/SW failures. We present the design and optimization of agonistic-antagonistic actuation systems realizing the concept of variable impedance actuation (VIA). With respect to previous results in t...

Conjugated polymers are promising actuation materials for biomimetic robots and biomedical devices. Large bending is involved in some of these applications. This poses significant challenges in electromechanical modeling, because the linear elasticity theory is only valid when the strain is small. In this paper an effective strategy based on the nonlinear elasticity theory is proposed to model ...

The transient response of a millimeter-sized sessile droplet under electrical actuation is experimentally investigated. Under DC actuation, the droplet spreading rate increases as the applied voltage is increased due to the higher electrical forces induced. At sufficiently high DC voltages, competition between the electrical actuation force, droplet inertia, the retarding surface tension force ...

The active Gurney flap technology is investigated to improve the performance of rotorblades by allowing helicopter blades to further control the lift unbalance that rises at high speed and by damping vibration loads on the rotor hub. This technology needs validation by wind tunnel testing of a scaled model blade under rotational loading. An optimised geometry of a flexible actuation system has ...

The aim of this paper is to propose a complete normalized study of a diaphragm's behavior under classical excitation encountered in microsystem: pneumatic, electrostatic, piezoelectric and magnetic. The principle of modeling is widely described in order to be easily applied to other structure. First, a traditional analytical solution is recalled for the diaphragm's deflection based on energy mi...

Efficient control of RF MEMS switches is a very important issue as it is correlated to main failure mechanisms/modes such as the impact force and bouncing phenomena which degrade their dynamic performance and longevity. This paper presents the control of a specific ohmic RF MEMS switches under three different actuation modes, a tailored pulse optimization method based on Taguchi’s technique (vo...

The static shape of drop under electrowetting actuation is well studied and recent electrowetting theory and experiments confirm that the local contact angle (microscopic angle) is unaffected while the apparent contact angle (macroscopic angle) is characterized by the Lippmann-Young equation. On the other hand, the evolution of the drop motion under electrowetting actuation has received less at...