ICAT Research Activities
New Actuator Materials
An enormously large electromechanical coupling factor k33 = 92 - 95% discovered in the solid solution single crystals Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 is now being applied for compact and high resolution medical catheters.
Photostrictive effect is a phenomenon in which strain is induced in the sample when it is illuminated. We are developing photo-driven thick film actuators for space structure applications. We have verified an optimum thickness (30 µm) of PLZT films for actuator applications.
Photo 4: Photo-driven micro walking robot
with two photostrictive bimorph legs.
Notice that neither electric power
supply nor lead wire is required.