A power generation system to improve the degree of freedom of installation is described herein. A power generation system comprises: first fluid chambers that contain a fluid; a second fluid chamber that contains the fluid; a communication flow channel that communicates the first fluid chambers and the second fluid chamber with each other; first pistons that are disposed such that the fluid in the first fluid chambers can be pressed; a second piston that is disposed such that the fluid in the second fluid chamber can be pressed; and power generation modules that convert pressing forces of the corresponding first pistons into electricity using piezoelectric elements. The power generation elements of the power generation modules generate power when the second piston is pressed, and the pressing force is transmitted to the first pistons via the fluid, and the piezoelectric elements are indirectly pressed due to the force thus transmitted.

High strain hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic transducers having increased maximum theoretical and practical strains are disclosed. In particular, the actuators include electrode configurations having a zipping front created by the attraction of the electrodes that is configured orthogonally to a strain axis along which the actuators. This configuration produces increased strains. In turn, various form factors for the actuator configuration are presented including an artificial circular muscle and a strain amplifying pulley system. Other actuator configurations are contemplated that include independent and opposed electrode pairs to create cyclic activation, hybrid electrode configurations, and use of strain limiting layers for controlled deflection of the actuator.

Methods and apparatus for quantifying pneumatic volume usage via valve controllers are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a valve controller operatively couplable to a pneumatic actuator, the pneumatic actuator being operatively coupled to a control valve. In response to an input signal indicating that a flow control member of the control valve is to be moved in a specified direction, the valve controller commands a current-to-pressure (I/P) converter of the valve controller to pulse a relay valve of the valve controller between a closed position and an open position. The pulsing of the relay valve causes the pneumatic actuator to move the flow control member in the specified direction. The valve controller calculates a pneumatic volume usage associated with the moving of the flow control member in the specified direction. The pneumatic volume usage is based on the pulsing of the relay valve.

A hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuator based on carbon-coated nanoparticles are disclosed. According to an embodiment of a present disclosure, the HASEL actuator includes a dielectric fluid, which is a liquid-type insulator that has polarity when voltage is applied, a film configured to covering the dielectric fluid and electrodes attached to both outer surfaces of the film and configured to move the dielectric fluid. And the dielectric fluid includes nanoparticles including ferroelectrics.