General Competition (April 1992)

Integrated Force Array

Sponsor: Microelectronics Center At North Carolina (MCNC)

• Project Performance Period: 6/15/1992 - 6/14/1995
• Total project (est.): $1,928,800.00
• Requested ATP funds: $1,211,100.00

As a basic technology, converting electrical energy to force hasn't changed much in the last century. Electric motors, solenoids, and almost all other electromechanical devices rely on magnetic fields. But as our machines become smaller, the construction of efficient, practical induction motors (which require a certain amount of mass of magnetic materials and current) becomes more difficult. Electrostatic force, however, can be converted to motion with high efficiencies and low mass -- if the basic structure is sufficiently small. MCNC, a non-profit North Carolina consortium of industries, research universities, and state government, proposes to develop the manufacturing technology for very-large-scale arrays of electrostatic force cells. Such an Integrated Force Array (IFA) resembles a thin plastic membrane, and is made up of millions of microscopic cells. Under an applied voltage, the membrane contracts, shrinking about 30 percent in length. The motions are highly efficient, highly controllable, and the mass of the device is about 1000 times less than that of the equivalent magnetically driven actuator. Essentially, the IFA is a close electronic analog to muscle tissue. Although the technology still requires a great deal of development, future applications will exist anywhere low weight and high efficiency are important, including aerospace systems, biomedical devices, robotics and biomechanical prostheses. As part of the ATP project, a IFA replacement for a common magnetic solenoid will be built, weighing about 2 centigrams, and exerting a force of 10 grams over a 1 centimeter range.

For project information:

Leila Tvedt, (919) 248-1826
tvedt@mcnc.org

ATP Project Manager

Thomas Lettieri, (301) 975-3496
thomas.lettieri@nist.gov