Emerging Actuator Technologies: A Micromechatronic Approach (Repost)

Actuators are devices that convert electrical energy intomechanical work, traditionally used in electrical, pneumatic andhydraulic systems. As the demand for actuator technologies grows inbiomedical, prosthetic and orthotic applications, there is anincreasing need for complex and sophisticated products that performefficiently also when scaled to micro and nano domains.
Providing a comprehensive overview of actuators for novelapplications, this excellent book:
* Presents a mechatronic approach to the design, control andintegration of a range of technologies covering piezoelectricactuators, shape memory actuators, electro-active polymers,magnetostrictive actuators and electro- and magnetorheologicalactuators.
* Examines the characteristics and performance of emergingactuators upon scaling to micro and nano domains.
* Assesses the relative merits of each actuator technology andoutlines prospective application fields.
Offering a detailed analysis on current advances in the field, thispublication will appeal to practising electrical and electronicsengineers developing novel actuator systems. Mechanical andautomation engineers, computer scientists and researchers will alsofind this a useful resource.