Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber twist-inserted polymer fibers generate tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the coiled polymer fibers actuator can be incorporated into an article, such as a textile, braid, clothing, smart packaging, or a mechanical system, and the coiled polymer fiber in the coiled polymer fiber actuator can have a stroke amplification factor of 5 or greater.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize coiled yarns/polymer fibers and can be either neat or comprising a guest. In some embodiments, the actuator system includes a twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and at least one of (i) wire connections that enable electrical heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, (ii) a radiation source and radiation pathway that enables photothermal heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator, and (iii) a delivery system for delivering chemicals whose reaction produces heating of the twisted and coiled polymer fiber actuator.

The present invention is provided to prevent intrusion of dust, moisture, and the like, and simulatively deliver a kinetic operation feeling in response to an operation of an operator, and generate vibrations as necessary and separately from the operation of the operator. There is provided an inertial force imparting device including a stator, a mover that is arranged to be movable relative to the stator in a movable direction, a weight attached to the mover, an actuator unit that includes a shape memory alloy wire provided between the stator and the mover, instantaneously displaces the mover in the movable direction, and delivers an inertial force to the outside based on the displacement, and an elastic member that biases the mover toward the stator side along the movable direction, in which the shape memory alloy wire changes in length according to temperature, and changes the interval between the mover and the stator by expansion and contraction according to energization heating.

The present invention is provided to prevent intrusion of dust, moisture, and the like, and simulatively deliver a kinetic operation feeling in response to an operation of an operator, and generate vibrations as necessary and separately from the operation of the operator. There is provided an inertial force imparting device including a stator, a mover that is arranged to be movable relative to the stator in a movable direction, a weight attached to the mover, an actuator unit that includes a shape memory alloy wire provided between the stator and the mover, instantaneously displaces the mover in the movable direction, and delivers an inertial force to the outside based on the displacement, and an elastic member that biases the mover toward the stator side along the movable direction, in which the shape memory alloy wire changes in length according to temperature, and changes the interval between the mover and the stator by expansion and contraction according to energization heating.

A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

An actuator capable of attaining high output. The actuator includes a frame structure part that forms a frame structure surrounding a housing part, and a volume change part housed in the housing part. The volume change part increases a volume thereof by input of external energy. The frame structure part has a higher Young's modulus than a Young's modulus of the volume change part. The housing part has an anisotropic shape, with a maximum width in first direction of the housing part longer than a maximum width in second direction different from the first direction of the housing part.