Miniature High-Performance Ferro-Magnetic Actuator Research

Certain ferro-magnetic (F/M) materials expand and/or contract in the presence of an electrical current or field. This program proposes basic and applied research to use this material property as the working medium to achieve quantum improvements in the performance of miniature actuators. Using this exciting new solid state technology, it appears possible to create ultra-fast response, high force, miniature actuation devices that will have minimum power consumption, are suitable for a variety of high-tech defense and commercial applications, and represent the ultimate in simplicity with essentially no moving parts. Microsecond response times and highly precise displacements from tenths of microns up to one millimeter are thought possible with the proper mechanical implementation and electronics. This F/M actuation technology has thousands of military and commercial applications possible.