Abstract:
The present invention relates to a microparticle (2) comprising: at least one oblong flexible tail (6), capable of propelling said microparticle (2) in a solution along a path by flapping movements transverse to the path, said tail being provided with at least one magnetic element for this purpose, such that said magnetic element causes the flapping movements of said tail (6) by means of an external alternating magnetic field that is non-collinear with the path; and a head (4) mechanically connected to the proximal end of the tail. The microparticle (2) comprises at least one layer of a material made of a single piece and including said tail (6) and said head (4), the size and/or shape of said head (4) being selected such that the flapping movements of the proximal end of said tail (6) are limited relative to the flapping movements of the distal end of the tail (6), and such that said head (4) does not perform a complete revolution about an axis parallel to the path when exposed to the external alternating magnetic field.
Abstract:
The invention concerns design of thermoelastic actuators incorporating an expansive element formed from material selected in accordance with a procedure involving the derivation of an indicator of the material's potential effectiveness for each application. Indicator ε is derived from: εη=Eη2T/ςC where E is Young's modulus of the material, η is coefficient of thermal expansion, T is maximum operating temperature, ς is density and C is specific heat capacity. Elements may be selected from a group including: borides, carbides, nitrides or silicides of chromium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium or zirconium.
Abstract:
There is provided a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus capable of being efficiently produced at low production costs. The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus 1 includes a substrate 2 which has a hole 4 extending in thickness directions to pass through the substrate 2, and a photoresist film 3 which is formed on one side 2a of the substrate 2 so as to close one end of the hole 4, the photoresist film 3 having a small hole 5 which faces the one end of the hole 4 to open the one end of the hole 4 to the atmosphere. Thus, the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus 1 is designed to eject a droplet of a liquid from the small hole 5 by applying a pressure of a pressure source 6 to the other end of the hole 4 after the liquid is injected into the hole 4.
Abstract:
Micromachine systems (100) are provided. An embodiment of such a micromachine system includes a substrate (111, 504) that defines a trench (116, 512). A first microelectromechanical device (110, 502) and a second microelectromechanical device (110, 502) are arranged at least partially within the trench. Each of the microelectromechanical devices incorporates a first portion that is configured to move relative to the substrate. Methods also are provided.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a micro-actuator (100), a fabrication method thereof, and a micro-actuating valve (1000). The micro-actuating valve comprises: a first valve housing (200) having a fluid entrance (201) at the middle portion thereof; a second valve housing (300) coupled to the first valve housing thus to form a space portion (302) therein and having a fluid exit (301) connected to the fluid entrance of the first valve housing; a plate (110) installed at the space portion and having a micro-channel (111) at one side thereof to be connected to the fluid exit; a plurality of micro-driving members (130) installed to be near the plate for discharging a fluid introduced from the fluid entrance of the first valve housing to the fluid exit of the second valve housing by selectively opening and closing the micro-channel (111) of the plate; a micro-mover suspension installed at the plate for supporting the micro-mover; a coil installed at the micro-mover; a magnet installed with a certain gap from the coil; and an electrode portion formed at the plate for supplying a power source to the coil.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward techniques and configurations for a magnetic MEMS apparatus that in some instances may comprise a magnetic circuit and a MEMS device. The magnetic circuit may include two magnets that may be disposed on the substantially flat base and magnetized vertically to the base and in opposite directions to each other to produce a substantially horizontal magnetic field between the magnets. The MEMS device may comprise a mirror and a conductor to pass electric current to interact with the magnetic field created by the magnets. The MEMS device may be disposed substantially between the magnets of the magnetic circuit and above a plane formed by top surfaces of the magnets, to provide an unobstructed field of view for the mirror. The MEMS device may include a ferromagnetic layer to concentrate the magnetic field toward the conductor. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
Abstract:
A compliant micro device transfer head and head array are disclosed. In an embodiment a micro device transfer head includes a spring portion that is deflectable into a space between a base substrate and the spring portion.
Abstract:
Liquid crystal elastomer actuator (1) apt to move in a fluid, wherein the actuator includes a body (10) having a dimension comprised between 100 nm and 800 μιη so as to be considered a body having a low Reynolds number. The body (10) comprises: at least a first (2;2a;2b; 20) and a second (3;2c;2d; 30) spatially separated volumes, the first and second volume of the body both comprising a liquid crystal elastomer. The first volume is doped with a first photoactive doping substance apt to absorb electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength, and the second volume is doped with a second photoactive doping substance apt to absorb electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength. The first and second volumes are apt to change shape as a consequence of the light absorption at first or second wavelength, so that in the body a first (2j;20j) and a second joint (3j;30j) are defined. Moreover, a first absorbance of the first volume at a given wavelength is different than a second absorbance of the second volume at said given wavelength, the first and second absorbance are measured in the same time interval.