Exploring the design and use of micro- and meso-actuators, this book begins with theory and a general synopsis of the state-of-the-art in theoretical research. It discusses how to employ modern approaches in research and design activity, then presents a systematic list of already available products and details their potential for use. Design possibilities based on new technologies are clearly separated from those due to scale reduction, aiding in the selection of proper technology. The author takes a multi-physic approach to guarantee a comprehensive modeling technique, while the many references to experimental data and to existing microacutators assure an effective applicability of proposed theories.
The concepts of the micro- and meso-actuator are introduced in this monograph
through a multidisciplinary approach that combines aspects of
mechanics and of functional kinematical production. General concepts are
described in the first chapter, are practically expressed in the second chapter,
are deepened with modern software instruments in the third chapter
and, finally, are seasoned with a practical example in the fourth chapter. The
approach adopted is based on continuity between theoretical and practical
viewpoints on micro- and meso-actuators to provide an understanding of
physical phenomena and suggestions for their application to the real world.
This approach emerges only in a rather implicit form within the monograph
that, therefore, can represent only a first version or a first hint of a wider
activity of research, organization, and collocation of knowledge. Different
errors and information gaps are certainly present and the author apologizes
for them, relying on the goodwill of readers to highlight errors and suggest
possible extensions of the work in e-mails.
