Springer Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs

Drawn from the proceedings of the final symposium of MEXT Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, this text covers the cutting edge of next-generator actuator research and development including basic technologies and future applications. From the Back Cover Actuators, which move and manipulate objects, are the key technological components for all modern science and technologies. The advent of new, outstanding actuators will bring innovation to a range of different areas – such as basic science, industry, medicine, welfare, and the global environment – and in this way will provide us with a better quality of life. Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs is the proceedings of the final symposium of MEXT Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas: Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs, held in January 2010. This project pursues the realization of next-generation actuators and accumulates the common basic technologies for actuators, with a view to possible future applications. Since the realization of next-generation actuators requires an interdisciplinary approach, the research has been organized according to a broad technological perspective that consists of: • actuators for small motion of nano-meters; • small-size actuators of micro-meters structures; • intelligent actuators for functional motions; • power actuators for large force/torque; and • actuators for special environments. Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs also deals with common fundamental technologies for these actuators, such as intelligent materials, machining processes, control technologies, evaluation methods, and system integration. It provides cutting-edge research for researchers, postgraduates, and practitioners in mechanical, electrical, and materials industries. About the Author Toshiro Higuchi is a professor at the Department of Precision Machinery Engineering at the University of Tokyo, Japan. His research interests include mechatronics; magnetic bearings; electrostatic actuators; MEMS; robotics; and manufacturing. Koichi Suzumori has been a professor at Okayama University, Japan, since 2001. He received his doctoral degree from Yokohama National University, and worked for Toshiba R&D Center and Micromachine Centre, Tokyo, before taking up his current position. Satoshi Tadokoro currently works for the Graduate School of Information Sciences at Tohoku University, Japan. His areas of research include intelligent mechanics/mechanical systems; perception information processing/intelligent robotics and; design engineering and machine functional elements/tribology.