A Soft Magnetic Material Based Micro/Nano-actuator for Robotic Applications
This invention presents a magnetic micro/nano-actuator for robotic applications. The micro/nano-actuator comprises a plurality of soft-magnetic blocks and flexible beams, where two blocks are connected together by a beam. The easy axis of magnetization of each block is in the longitudinal direction. The application of an external magnetic field magnetizes the soft-magnetic blocks, thereby generating repulsion forces, causing linear extension of the actuator.
The invented magnetic micro/nano-actuator can be applied in micro/milli-scale robots as a linear actuator. For example, it can be used in microgrippers for micromanipulation and in artificial microswimmers to generate swimming motion.
