SELECTIVE ESTROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS

Not Available With the advent of digital signal processors and the miniaturization of electrical components, electromechanical control systems have undergone a revolution in complexity. Unfortunately these advances have not yet been applied to the field of piezoelectric motors and actuators, both of which require high-efficiency drive electronics to be competitive with conventional motors. The successful introduction of high-efficiency, miniature piezomotors would improve performance in existing aerospace systems, and create applications that are impossible with existing technologies. Wilcoxon Research, Inc. (WR) of Gaithersburg, Maryland, a manufacturer of piezoelectric-based actuators, sensors, and amplifiers, believes it has identified a solution to this technical problem. Phase I research will focus on developing a flexible, yet efficient electronic drive system for piezomotors. Utilizing existing piezomotors, as developed at Penn State and UCLA, WR will construct a generalized piezomotor drive amplifier that usesresonant energy transfer to maintain a high-degree of efficiency for a wide variety of piezomotor types. WR will characterize the electrical and mechanical power output, as well as efficiencies of the motor and drive electronics. Concurrent with the electronic development will be a mechanical engineering analysis focused on the miniaturization and optimization of existing piezomotors.