The present invention relates to a rotation-type actuator which includes a fiber having a twisted structure, which is manufactured by rotating the fiber in the opposite directions. Here, the fiber is divided into a top portion and a bottom portion with respect to the center thereof, at least one of the top and bottom portions of the fiber is fixed, and the top and bottom portions of the fiber each independently have a coiled shape as a chiral Z-type or chiral S-type structure. The rotation-type actuator has an excellent rotation speed, and also exhibits no significant decrease in rotation speed due to excellent durability and stability even when used for a long period of time. In addition, the rotation-type actuator uses a polymer fiber manufactured through electro spinning alone or using a polymer sheet obtained by aligning the polymer fiber in a single direction, and can efficiently convert heat energy, which is wasted in the air, into mechanical energy without providing a high temperature fluctuation since the rotation-type actuator has reversible, rapid and efficient actuation using persistent temperature gradient supplied from a temperature difference present in surrounding environments. Accordingly, energy harvesting devices, having improved efficiency and excellent service life characteristics in recovering heat energy as electrical energy using the rotation-type actuator, can be provided.

There are included: an oscillating member that includes a tough layer and a magnetostrictive layer stacked above the tough layer and formed of a magnetostrictive material, the tough layer formed of a tough material having a tensile strength higher than that of the magnetostrictive material; a supporting member to which the oscillating member is attached to be able to oscillate in the thickness direction; a magnetic field applying member that applies a magnetic field to the magnetostrictive layer; and a coil that is disposed around the magnetostrictive layer.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to thermo-dielectric-elastomer-cells may be shown and described. In one embodiment a thermo dielectric elastomer cell (TDEC) can include a layer of carbon nanotubes that absorb sunlight; a layer of photo switchable molecules; a plurality of dielectric elastomer layers, each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layer comprising a layer of dielectric elastomer material and a layer of N-P junction transistors between the layers of dielectric elastomer material; a layer of insulators separating each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers; and an elastic cushioning which is placed between the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers and surrounding the dielectric elastomer material.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to thermo-dielectric-elastomer-cells may be shown and described. In one embodiment a thermo dielectric elastomer cell (TDEC) can include a layer of carbon nanotubes that absorb sunlight; a layer of photo switchable molecules; a plurality of dielectric elastomer layers, each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layer comprising a layer of dielectric elastomer material and a layer of N-P junction transistors between the layers of dielectric elastomer material; a layer of insulators separating each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers; and an elastic cushioning which is placed between the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers and surrounding the dielectric elastomer material.

An energy generator including a material having a Curie temperature is provided. The energy generator includes a hot source at a first temperature, a cold sink at a second temperature, a means to couple the hot source to the material while the cold sink is insulated from the material, and a means to couple the cold sink to the material while the hot source is insulated from the material, wherein: the first temperature higher than the Curie temperature, and the second temperature lower than the Curie temperature. Also provided is an energy generator including elements as above, between the hot source and the cold sink. Further provided is a genset having an engine for producing electrical energy, a coolant system, an exhaust element, and an alternator, and an energy generator as above. A method for use an energy generator as above is also provided.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

Actuators (artificial muscles) comprising twist-spun nanofiber yarn or twist-inserted polymer fibers generate torsional and/or tensile actuation when powered electrically, photonically, chemically, thermally, by absorption, or by other means. These artificial muscles utilize non-coiled or coiled yarns and can be either neat or comprising a guest. Devices comprising these artificial muscles are also described.

Disclosed herein is a device, system, and method for a trickle charging system of non-inductive voltage boost (NVB) converter with built-in auto-dummy-load (ADL) for wide-range of charge storage devices i.e. small button-cell type batteries and super-caps using micro power pyro-electricity at Si-MOS sub-threshold voltage. A VLSI configuration of the system is also disclosed in embodiments. The system converts the pyro-electric material at MOS sub-threshold 0.37V for optimizing to the battery charging level at 1.45V. This system was proven at hardware level and found to be 98.8% power efficient. The designed IC can charge independently without any external components for up to 1 uW max, but able to charge up to 20 uA with external components. Thus it is considered to be a very versatile design.

Disclosed herein is a device, system, and method for a trickle charging system of non-inductive voltage boost (NVB) converter with built-in auto-dummy-load (ADL) for wide-range of charge storage devices i.e. small button-cell type batteries and super-caps using micro power pyro-electricity at Si-MOS sub-threshold voltage. A VLSI configuration of the system is also disclosed in embodiments. The system converts the pyro-electric material at MOS sub-threshold 0.37V for optimizing to the battery charging level at 1.45V. This system was proven at hardware level and found to be 98.8% power efficient. The designed IC can charge independently without any external components for up to 1 uW max, but able to charge up to 20 uA with external components. Thus it is considered to be a very versatile design.

A haptic actuator and method for manufacturing the same. The haptic actuator may include a slider having first interlocking sliding features and a first engagement surface; and a base having second interlocking sliding features and a second engagement surface. The second interlocking sliding features may be configured to engage with the first interlocking sliding features. The haptic actuator may also include a shape memory alloy disposed between the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface; and a pair of ohmic contacts disposed through the base and are in direct contact with the shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy may contract and causes displacement of the slider relative to the base from a first position to a second position in response to a current applied to the shape memory alloy through the pair of ohmic contacts.