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Penn State

Directory Record for:

Kenji

Kenji Uchino

 

Title(s):

Professor of Electrical Engineering, Professor of Materials

Director of International Center for Actuators and Transducers

 

Department:

Electrical Engineering

 

College/Admin. Unit:

College of Engineering

 

Office Address:

134 Materials Research Laboratory Building

University Park, PA 16802

Office Phone:

(814) 863-8035

 

Office Fax:

(814) 865-2326

 

E-Mail Address:

Validate to view address - Send Email via form

 

Web Page(s):

http://www.mri.psu.edu/centers/icat

http://www.ee.psu.edu/faculty/uchino/uchino1.html

 

Research Synopsis:

Windmill, PZT and metal tube types are the primary targets for development. Motors as small as 1.5 mm dia have been developed with the maximum torque of 1 mNm. To replace the conventional electromagnetic transformers with disadvantages in large size, we are developing piezoelectric transformers. We have demonstrated a drive system for the piezoelectric multilayer actuators for active vibration control and a drive circuit-integrated ultrasonic motor, using a 100 W level piezo-transformer.

 

Technologies Impacted by Research:

Piezoelectric motors and transformers can reduce the size and weight of the conventional electromagnetic motors roughly by 1/10, which will dramatically accelerate the miniaturization of laptop computers. Also, micro ultrasonic motors in the range of 1-3 mm will enhance minimum invasive health monitoring and micro-surgery.

 

Selected Publications: