An actuator has a plurality of pairs of a flexible electrode having flexibility, and a base electrode having an opposed face that is opposed to the flexible electrode and is covered with an insulating layer. The flexible electrode is configured to deform to get closer to the opposed face when a voltage is applied to the flexible electrode and the base electrode. Each of the pairs is located on the same axis, and adjacent ones of the pairs are connected to each other. The axis intersects with the opposed face of the base electrode of each of the pairs. The base electrode of each of the pairs is divided into a plurality of electrode portions insulated from each other, and the voltage is individually applied to the electrode portions.

In a piezoelectric device, a cantilever portion includes a fixed edge portion and a free edge portion. A plate-shaped portion includes a facing edge portion, a support edge portion, a first lateral support edge portion, and a second lateral support edge portion. The facing edge portion faces the free edge portion. The support edge portion is on an opposite side from the facing edge portion in an extension direction of the cantilever portion. The plate-shaped portion is connected to an inner surface at at least a portion of the support edge portion, at least a portion of the first lateral support edge portion, and at least a portion of the second lateral support edge portion.

Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

A multi-degree-of-freedom sample holder, comprising a housing and a rotating shaft, is disclosed. A frame is provided between the housing and the rotating shaft, and the frame is coaxial with the housing and rotating shaft. The present invention has multiple degrees of freedom such as high-precision translational freedom of the sample along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis, and 360° rotation of the sample around the axis, etc. The sample is always aligned with the sample holder shaft during the rotation, and the static electricity accumulated on the sample can be led out.

A helical dielectric elastomer actuator (HDEA) can include a first dielectric region comprising an elastomer defining a helix. In an example, a dielectric material can be deposited and a compliant conductive material can be deposited, such as using an additive manufacturing approach, to provide an HDEA. In an example where the HDEA has multiple mechanical degrees of freedom, at least two compliant conductive regions can be located on a first surface of the first dielectric region and at least one compliant conductive region can be located on an opposite second surface of the first dielectric region. For such an example, the at least two compliant conductive regions can be arranged to be energized with respect to the at least one compliant conductive region in a manner providing at least two mechanical degrees of freedom for operation of the HDEA.

A vibrating actuator includes a contact body and a vibrating body that vibrates, has an energy conversion element, and has an elastic body in contact with the contact body to move relative to each other from the vibration. The contact body has a base part, a thin plate part, a support part, and a friction member. The thin plate part extends from the base part toward an annular center axis of the base part and the support part is disposed at an end of the thin plate part. The friction member is disposed to the support part as a member separate from the support part and in contact with the elastic body. Density of the friction member is higher than density of the thin plate part. A weight ratio of the thin plate part to a total weight of the friction member and the support part is 0.5 to 1.5.

A piezoelectric driving device includes a supporting section, a first moving section movable in a first direction relative to the supporting section, a second moving section movable in a second direction relative to the first moving section, a first driving section configured to drive a first piezoelectric actuator to move the first moving section relative to the supporting section and stop the first piezoelectric actuator to hold the first moving section on the supporting section, and a second driving section configured to drive a second piezoelectric actuator to move the second moving section relative to the first moving section and stop the second piezoelectric actuator to hold the second moving section on the first moving section. A first holding force for holding the first moving section on the supporting section and a second holding force for holding the second moving section on the first moving section are different from each other.

Improved drilling systems and methods may include piezoelectric actuator(s) in a drill string at one or more locations to minimize or eliminate stick-slip while drilling. For example, piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into the rock bit or drill bit in the openings in the bit body for receiving the cutters. As another example, the piezoelectric actuators may be incorporated into an independent module that is place on or in the drill string. The independent module may be placed between the top drive and the drill bit or at the top of the drill string near a top drive.

This invention describes a method for producing highly controllable motion in electroactive materials and electroactive actuators capable of pronounced contraction and expansion, which act as synthetic muscle, tendon, fascia, perimysium, epimysium, and skin that wrinkles, comprising ion-containing, cross-linked electroactive material(s); solvent(s); electrode(s); attachments to levers or other objects; and coating(s). Restriction of movement in undesired direction(s) produces pronounced movement in the desired direction(s). The electroactive material itself or the electroactive actuator may be used individually or grouped to produce movement when activated by electricity. This invention can provide for human-like motion, durability, toughness, speed, and strength. The electroactive materials and electroactive actuators, with highly controllable motion, can be attached to objects and devices to produce motion with no metal pulleys, gears, or motors needed.