New actuators and their applications: from nano actuators to mega actuators

The present report describes R&D activities on new actuators undertaken at our laboratory at Okayama University for the past three years. These activities include various types of actuators, such as electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, pneumatic, and hydraulic actuators, ranging in size and force from the nano to the mega range. These actuators are described in four categories: microactuators, power, intelligence, and novel principle.