An actuator apparatus and method may comprise a monolithic construction of piezoelectric effect and electrostrictive effect materials. The actuator may comprise at least one piezoelectric material layer and at least one electrostrictive material layer. The at least one piezoelectric material layer may comprise a plurality of piezoelectric layers or the at least one electrostrictive layer may comprise a plurality of electrostrictive layers. The actuator may comprise the monolithic construction of piezoelectric and electrostrictive materials having a perimeter; a rigid plate; an adhesion mechanism holding the perimeter to the rigid plate preventing movement of the perimeter with respect to the rigid plate. The monolithic construction may be formed by co-sintering and co-pressing the piezoelectric effect material with the electrostrictive effect material. The actuator could comprise PMN/PT-65/35 piezoelectric and PMN/PT-90/10 electrostrictive. The actuator could be included in, such as, a nano-positioner, a valve actuator, an adaptive optical mounting, or a micropump.