A MEMS structure includes a planar substrate, a support body coupled to the planar substrate, a fixed electrode coupled to the planar substrate and a moveable portion. The movable portion is spaced from and faces the fixed electrode. The movable electrode includes a movable weight and an intermediate frame surrounding an outer edge of the movable weight. A plurality of elastic supports connect the movable weight to the intermediate frame. The elastic supports are elastically deformable in a first direction extending parallel to the plane of the substrate such that the movable weight can move in the first direction. At least one torsion bar pivotally connects one end of the intermediate frame to the support body so as to allow the intermediate frame, and with it the movable weight, to pivot around an axis which extends parallel to the plane of the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction.

A magnetostrictive torque sensor incorporated in an electric power steering apparatus includes first through fourth detection coils, which are disposed face-to-face with a magnetostrictive film across a bobbin winding holder that is disposed around an outer circumferential surface of the magnetostrictive film. A bobbin support, which supports the bobbin winding holder, is disposed on the bobbin winding holder at a central position in the axial direction of the first through fourth detection coils.

A communication device according to one aspect of embodiments includes a controller. In a case where vibration of the communication device is detected, the controller allows execution of a communication process with a communication target device.

A generator includes a sliding member, a first power generation element and a second power generation element. The sliding member is made of a biomass-containing material. The first power generation element is configured to slide with respect to the sliding member. The second power generation element is configured to generate electrical power by variation of its relative position with respect to the first power generation element.

A power generator 1 includes at least two magnetostrictive elements 10 each including a magnetostrictive rod through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof and a coil 3 wound around the magnetostrictive rod 2; and a beam member 83 for connecting one end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10 with each other and the other end portions of the magnetostrictive elements 10 with each other. Further, the power generator 1 includes a permanent magnet 6 for generating the lines of magnetic force passing through the magnetostrictive rods 2. The permanent magnet 6 is provided so that a magnetization of the permanent magnet 6 differs from an arrangement direction in which the magnetostrictive elements 10 are arranged side by side.

The present disclosure includes: a magnetostrictive plate including a magnetostrictive material; a yoke around which a coil is wound and which has two ends magnetically connected to a surface of the magnetostrictive plate; and a bias magnet that generates bias magnetic flux circulating from one of the two ends of the yoke to the other one of the two ends through the yoke. Here, the magnetostrictive plate is surface-bonded to a non-magnetic structural body.

A power generator 1 includes a magnetostrictive rod 2 through which lines of magnetic force pass in an axial direction thereof, a beam member 73 having a function of generating stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2, and a coil 3 arranged so that the lines of magnetic force pass inside the coil 3 in an axial direction of the coil 3. The beam member 73 is arranged along the magnetostrictive rod 2 and configured to allow one end portion and the other end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 to approach to each other to generate compressive stress in the magnetostrictive rod 2. Further, in the power generator 1, it is preferable that a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 is larger than a gap between the beam member 73 and the magnetostrictive rod 2 on the side of the other one end portion of the magnetostrictive rod 2 in a side view.

A torque sensor including a shaft that receives an applied torque is disclosed. The shaft includes a magnetoelastic region that generates a non-negligible magnetic field responsive to the applied torque and one or more null regions that each generates a negligible magnetic field. The torque sensor includes a plurality of null region sensors proximal a null region that generate a null region magnetic field measure corresponding to a magnitude of an ambient magnetic field. The torque sensor includes a magnetoelastic region sensor proximal the magnetoelastic region that generates a magnetoelastic region magnetic field measure corresponding to the magnitude of the ambient magnetic field and a magnitude of the non-negligible magnetic field. The torque sensor includes a controller coupled to the null region sensors and the magnetoelastic region sensor that calculates a magnitude of the applied torque based on the null region magnetic field measures and the magnetoelastic region magnetic field measure.

A wave energy converter includes a surface float including a non-axisymmetric profile, a reaction plate configured to be submerged below a water surface, and more than one flexible tether, each mechanically coupled to both the surface float and the reaction plate, the reaction plate having a moment of inertia in pitch and roll greater than a moment of inertia in pitch and roll of the surface float.

A power generation device includes: first and second beams which are arranged to face each other and are bent by vibration; and a coil wound around the first and second beams. Each of the first and second beams includes: a beam body; and a stress relaxation layer made of a material different from a material of the beam body and partially covering the surface of the beam body.