Multicellular Actuators

The proposal introduces a new concept of electronically integrated multilaminar (induced strain) actuators that addresses many Army and commercial needs by driving at higher strain and force than currently achievable. In a reversal of recent trends, it will require much lower drive voltage levels and will exhibit low power consumption levels. It is attractive for existing military and commercial needs. As an enabling technology for many new applications previously unrealizable, it provides a multi/purpose, smaller, lighter integrated design with flexibility and increased performance capability. The proposed research will leverage recent advances by- TRS Ceramics Corporation in multilaminar active ceramic materials. processing and fabrication. EMF Industries' regenerative electronics developed for monolithic and multilayer electronic ceramics and recent advances by Penn State-IMRL in actuator geometrys and construction. The proposed technology introduces an integrated design concept that provides high strain-low- bandwidth and low strain-high bandwidth capabilities. This innovation represents a necessary- technology for improved control of fluid-structure interaction, acoustic loads and mechanical vibration. BENEFITS: Burleigh Instruments have expressed interest in commercializing the results of the proposed research for their markets in nanopositioning, adaptive optical systems, multi-stage translators fiber optic alignment, lithography and lenses. Boeing Helicopter Division has also expressed interest in this technology- for integration into their on-blade active independent blade control program.