Ultrathin Piezoelectric Resonators Based on Graphene and Free-Standing Single-Crystal BaTiO₃

Suspended piezoelectric thin films are key elements enabling high-frequency filtering in telecommunication devices. To meet the requirements of next-generation electronics, it is essential to reduce device thickness for reaching higher resonance frequencies. Here, the high-quality mechanical and electrical properties of graphene electrodes...

On Untethered, Dual Magneto- and Photoresponsive Liquid Crystal Bilayer Actuators Showing Bending and Rotating Motion

The integration of untethered, multi-stimuli responsive actuation into soft microrobotic devices is a goal in the development of “smart” materials. This manuscript reports on a dual-stimuli responsive bilayer actuator consisting of a light responsive liquid crystal network (LCN) and a magnetic responsive polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite....

Towards teleoperation with human-like dynamics: Human use of elastic tools

Variable stiffness actuators undergo lower peak force in contacts compared to their rigid counterparts, and are thus safer for human-robot interaction. Furthermore, they can store energy in their elastic element and can release it later to achieve human-like dynamic movements. However, it is not clear how to integrate them in teleoperator...

Clutched elastic actuators

This paper identifies the class of actuators called clutched elastic actuators (CEAs). CEAs use clutches to control the energy flow into springs. CEAs in exoskeletons, prostheses, legged robots, and robotic arms have shown the ability to reduce the energy consumption and motor requirements, such as peak torque and peak power. Because of those...

Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of LPCVD Polycrystalline SiC Thin Films Using Two Section V-beam Actuators

In this paper we present the characterization of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of in-situ doped polycrystalline SiC thin films, obtained by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The material is characterized using V-beam actuators on which the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and the in-plane displacement...

Frequency and amplitude stabilized terahertz quantum cascade laser as local oscillator

We demonstrate an experimental scheme to simultaneously stabilize the frequency and amplitude of a 3.5 THz third-order distributed feedback quantum cascade laser as a local oscillator. The frequency stabilization has been realized using a methanol absorption line, a power detector, and a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) loop. The amplitude...

Forcing mechanisms of dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators at carrier frequency of 625 Hz

The forcing behavior of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator is investigated experimentally using a time-resolved particle image velocimetry (PIV) system in conjunction with a phase shifting technique. The spatio-temporal evolution of the induced flowfield is accurately captured within one high voltage (HV) cycle allowing the...

Coordination in urban water supply networks using distributed model predictive control

Urban water supply networks are large-scale systems that transport potable water over vast geographical areas to millions of consumers. A safe and efficient operation of these networks is crucial, as without it living in today’s cities would be impossible. To achieve an adequate operation, these networks are equipped with actuators like pumps...

Fundamentals of ergonomic exoskeleton robots

This thesis is the first to provide the fundamentals of ergonomic exoskeleton design. The fundamental theory as well as technology necessary to analyze and develop ergonomic wearable robots interacting with humans is established and validated by experiments and prototypes. The fundamentals are (1) a new theoretical framework for analyzing...

Proceedings of the 1996 national sensor conference, March 20-21, 1996, Delft, The Netherlands

Towards digital computer simulation of the dynamics of flexible spacecraft

Software design for digital computer simulation of the dynamics of flexible spacecraft equipped with actuators and sensors, should take into account two properties of the overall system: (i) s.ampled-data control of the spacecraft leads to discontinuous inputs (forcing functions) in the differential equations of motion, thereby requiring...

Testing and investigations of reaction wheels

The first part of the paper presents the results of measurements on torque and force irregularities of running reaction wheels. Six different, current technology European wheels, both with ball- and magnet bearings, and with d.c. and a.c. drive motors are examined. Time-domain behaviour around zero wheel speed as well as noise at certain...

Investigation on a passenger ride-comfort improvement system with limited control surface actuator performance for a flexible aircraft

For the low wing-loading aircraft, considered in this investigation, vertical acceleration appeared to be an important factor concerning passenger comfort. To reduce vertical motions, a ride-comfort improvement system was introduced. Determination of parameters of the system, like gains and allowable performance limitations, required analog...