Magnetic actuator using interaction between micro magnetic elements

This paper reports a new type magnetic actuator using interaction between micro magnetic elements. Small magnetic elements are arranged periodically on an elastic membrane to actuate a beam structure by an applied magnetic field. The arrangement pattern of elements changed the behavior of the present actuator. Finally we demonstrate a hand type actuator. The thumb of the hand-actuator can be deformed differently from the other four fingers even if the applied magnetic field is homogeneous. It is shown theoretically that the present actuator can work if it is miniaturized.