Reserch Projects
New actuators and devices using new materials and principles
Soft actuators using magnetorheological elastomer
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Magnetic gels are functional materials with ferromagnetic and viscoelastic properties. This material is typically synthesized by mixing silicone elastomers and micrometer sized carbonyl iron particles. We plan to use this material to design a soft actuator that can be used as human muscles. |
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Giant magnetostrictive material actuators
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We are designing speakers that use giant magnetostrictive materials. We are conducting coupled magnetific field-structure analysis that take into account the nonlinear properties of the magnetostrictive constant and the permeability of the magnetostrictive material. |
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Ferromagnetic shape memory alloy actuators
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When a strong magnetic field is applied to the martensite phase of a Ni-Mn-Ga single crystal alloy, an extremely large magnetic field induced deformation will occur and this phenomena has the potential to be used in actuators. We are conducting research on our resonant actuator which uses the Ni-Mn-Ga alloy, and are conducting couple electromagnetic - structure analysis to analyse its behaviour and compare it to our prototype. |
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Actuators with temperature sensitive material
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Rechargable electric tools are equipped with safety features that immediately cut off the power when the tool gets too hot. We are developing a high-accuracy, high-response, long stroke switching thermoswitch that uses temperature sensitive material. Coupled electromagnetic field-thermal analysis is conducted to determine the performance of the switch. |
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Electrostatic atomization devices
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Electrostatically atomized ions are electrically charged water droplets in the range of a few dozen nm, and are being used in hair dryers, air purifiers etc. The elecotrostatic atomization phenomena is complicated, but is thought to be a composite phenomena of the behaviour of the water droplet and electrostatic force. We are trying to clarify this phenomena (electrostatic atomization and Rayleigh fission) by simulating the behaviour of the droplet using coupled particle method-FEM analysis. |
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