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Microactuators

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Encyclopedia of Microfluidics and Nanofluidics

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Synonyms

MEMS actuators

Definition

Microactuators are small-scale active devices capable of generating mechanical motion of solids or fluids. Motion is generated via converting one form of energy (for instance electrical) into kinetic energy. Typical sizes of microactuators vary from a few millimetres to a few micrometers, but total sizes can reach centimetres when packaged. When generating mechanical motion of solids, typical displacements are in the nanometer to millimeter range, and typical forces generated are in the nanoNewton to miliNewton range. For microfluidic actuators, typical flow rates generated are in the picoLiter/minute to microLiter/minute ranges.

Overview

Microactuators operate by converting one form of energy (e. g. electrical, thermal, electromagnetic) into kinetic energy of movable components. They are sometimes referred to as Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) actuators, but the later term is more commonly used in the United States to denote...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Automation & Robotics Research Institute, The University of Texas at Arlington, Fort Worth, TX, USA

    Dan Popa

Authors
  1. Dan Popa
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 351592, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN, 37235-1592, USA

    Dongqing Li Prof.

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag

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Popa, D. (2008). Microactuators. In: Li, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-48998-8_891

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