An adjustable deforming composite structure based on a hydrogen-induced expansion effect and a preparation method therefor are provided. The hydrogen-induced expansion effect means metals absorb hydrogen under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and at a temperature to produce a volume expansion effect. Reactions between the metals and hydrogen are reversible reactions. When a hydrogen partial pressure is reduced or the temperature is increased, the hydrogen in the metals is removed, and the metals are restored to an original shape. Under a stimulation of external hydrogen and heat, a composite of a hydrogen-absorbing metal and other non-hydrogen-absorbing materials undergo an adjustable deformation according to a design, and a material undergoes reversible shape changes. The preparation method is applied to composite materials for a 4D printing and is used for an intelligent shape adjustment at a medium to high temperature.

The invention provides a heat pump system and method comprising a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) core (2a, 2b) positioned in a housing and adapted to absorb heat and store energy in response to a first fluid inputted at a first temperature. The housing is configured to receive a second fluid via an inlet wherein a device changes pressure in the housing to cause the SMA or NTE core to change state to release the heat absorbed into the second fluid. An outlet is adapted to output the second fluid at a higher temperature than the first temperature.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes positioning a layer stack comprising an electrode positioned between an electrode insulator and a support polymer in a vacuum bag, removing air from the vacuum bag thereby vacuum coupling the electrode to the electrode insulator, and removing the layer stack from the vacuum bag, where upon removal of the layer stack from the vacuum bag, the electrode remains vacuum coupled to the electrode insulator and the electrode insulator is in direct contact with the electrode, thereby forming an electrode assembly.

There is provided a method of driving a shape memory alloy haptic assembly comprising an actuator comprising shape memory alloy that is arranged on actuation to provide a haptic effect, the method comprising supplying drive current to the actuator successively during a pre-heating period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised without causing the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect and during an actuation period in which the temperature of the shape memory alloy is raised so as to cause the shape memory alloy to provide the haptic effect. A shape memory alloy haptic assembly is also provided.

An electric controlled bi-directional bending actuator with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity is disclosed. The electric controlled bi-directional bending actuator with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity comprises three kinds of functional layers that are electro-deformable layers, electro-variable stiffness layers and flexible electrodes. From up to bottom, they are the first flexible electrodes layer, the first electro-deformable layer, the second flexible electrodes layer, the electro-variable stiffness layer, the third flexible electrode layer, the second electro-deformable layer and the fourth flexible electrode layer. The adjacent layers are glued together. The electro-deformable layer is made from dielectric elastomers. The electro-variable stiffness layer is made from electro-rheological materials, including electro-rheological fluids, electro-rheological gels or electro-rheological elastomers. Compared with the present pneumatic actuators with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity, the invention has such merits as simple structure, precise regulation, quick response, convenient control and insensitive to environmental.

A hybrid actuation device that includes a first plate coupled to a second plate, a shape memory alloy wire coupled to the first plate, and an artificial muscle positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The artificial muscle includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed in the electrode region of the housing and a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing. The expandable fluid region of the housing is positioned apart from a perimeter of the first plate and the second plate. A first alignment aid is positioned between the first plate and the first electrode, the first alignment aid having an inner surface facing the first plate and an outer surface facing the first electrode.

An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a first moveable unit, an optical module, an affixed base and a first driving module. The optical module includes an optical axis, wherein the optical module is connected to the first moveable unit. The first moveable unit is adapted to be moved relative to the affixed base. The first driving module is adapted to drive the first moveable unit to move relative to the affixed base.

A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes positioning a layer stack comprising an electrode positioned between an electrode insulator and a support polymer in a vacuum bag, removing air from the vacuum bag thereby vacuum coupling the electrode to the electrode insulator, and removing the layer stack from the vacuum bag, where upon removal of the layer stack from the vacuum bag, the electrode remains vacuum coupled to the electrode insulator and the electrode insulator is in direct contact with the electrode, thereby forming an electrode assembly.

A method for operating cyclic process-based systems, with a hot-side reservoir (1) and a cold-side reservoir (2) for a fluid (3), and at least one heat exchanger unit (4) with mechanocaloric material, wherein the mechanocaloric material of the heat exchanger unit (4) is actively connected to the fluid (3) such that heat is transferred between the mechanocaloric material and the fluid (3). It is essential that the transfer of heat between the mechanocaloric material and the fluid (3) takes place essentially by latent heat transfer. A corresponding heat-transfer unit (4) and a corresponding apparatus are also provided.

An electric controlled bi-directional bending actuator with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity is disclosed. The electric controlled bi-directional bending actuator with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity comprises three kinds of functional layers that are electro-deformable layers, electro-variable stiffness layers and flexible electrodes. From up to bottom, they are the first flexible electrodes layer, the first electro-deformable layer, the second flexible electrodes layer, the electro-variable stiffness layer, the third flexible electrode layer, the second electro-deformable layer and the fourth flexible electrode layer. The adjacent layers are glued together. The electro-deformable layer is made from dielectric elastomers. The electro-variable stiffness layer is made from electro-rheological materials, including electro-rheological fluids, electro-rheological gels or electro-rheological elastomers. Compared with the present pneumatic actuators with deformability and stiffness tunable capacity, the invention has such merits as simple structure, precise regulation, quick response, convenient control and insensitive to environmental.