A new design for a multi-layer dielectric elastomer actuator, reinforced with periodic stiffeners is presented. The resulting actuator enables complex out-ofplane motion without the need of the elastomer membrane prestretch. An in situ optical imaging system is used to capture the complex deformation pattern and track the non-planar displacement and curvature under the applied voltage. The role...

This paper presents a “Fingerprint Method” for modeling and subsequently characterizing stochastically controlled actuator arrays. The actuator arrays are built from small actuator cells with structural elasticity. These cells are controlled using a bistable stochastic process wherein all cells are given a common input probability (control) value which they use to determine whether to actuate o...

This paper describes and assesses a decentralized solution based on a wireless sensor-actuator network to provide primary frequency control from demand response in power systems with high wind energy penetration and, subsequently, with relevant frequency excursions. The proposed system is able to modify the electrical power demand of a variety of thermostatically-controlled loads, maintaining m...

In the last decade, lead zirconate titanate oxide (PZT) thin-film actuators have received increasing attention because of their high frequency bandwidth, large actuation strength, fast response, and small size. The PZT film thickness is usually less than several microns as opposed to hundreds of microns for bulk PZT patches that are commercially available. As a result, PZT thin-film actuators p...

Independent gear-shifting actuation systems, which are based on linear electromagnetic actuators (LEMAs), have tremendous potential to minimize the shifting duration of automated mechanical transmission (AMT). A velocity estimator based on the measurements of current is designed to achieve sensorless control of the actuator by using only electrical subsystem, thus avoiding the use of a complete...

A two-dimensional (2D) scanning micro-mirror for target detection and measurement has been developed. This new micro-mirror is used in a MOEMS target detector to replace the conventional scanning detector. The micro-mirror is fabricated by MEMS process and actuated by a piezoelectric actuator. To achieve large deflection angles, the micro-mirror is excited in the resonance modes. It has two deg...

Over time, a wide variety of tactile stimulation devices have been designed and implemented in an attempt to minimize power requirements and weight while simultaneously maximizing the stimulus effect. Consequently, the hardware is widely varied and has specific strengths and weaknesses. This section discusses the basic features universal to particular tactile actuator (tactor) designs and a sum...

This chapter surveys the existing representative work in both sensor-actuator and actuator-actuator coordination. Sensor-actuator coordination deals with establishing data paths between sensors and actuators, and can be used for sensor deployment. Actuatoractuator coordination includes robot coordination for sensor placement, dynamic task allocation, selecting best robot to respond to reported ...

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are popular as actuators for use in soft robots due to their high work density and compatibility with miniaturized on-board batteries power electronics. However, because SMA activated through electrical Joule heating, they exhibit poor energy efficiency low actuator frequencies that arise from long cool-down times. Moreover, the case of wires subject flexural loading,...

We present a simulation and experimental investigation of bi-directional tunable in-plane clamped–guided arch microbeam resonators. Tensile and compressive axial forces are generated from a bi-directional electrostatic actuator, which modulates the microbeam stiffness, and hence changes its natural frequency to lower or higher values from its as-fabricated value. Several devices of various anch...