Mechanical Engineering Micro Systems

Our research activity focuses on modeling of micro actuators and design of innovative devices with tailored properties. Typical fruits of our work are posted on our Research page. We are eagerly seeking collaboration and if you have interesting problems or challenges we would love to hear about them.

Recent JMEMS publication

Voltage as function of motion for the new mechanical battery device
A new Mechanical Battery
We implemented a proof-of-concept device of a Mechanical Battery. In this rechargeable battery electric energy is partially stored in elastic potential rather than in chemical potential as common rechargeable batteries.

Recent JMEMS publication

The deformed configuration of the new dynamically-balanced suspension
Dynamically Balanced Folded-Beam Suspensions
We discovered that although the folded-beam suspension is intended to be a linear spring by design, its harmonic response is essentially nonlinear. We explain why this occurs and propose a solution for the problem.

Recent JMEMS publication

Actuator design: connection in series of a common double-sided comb-drive and an anti-spring transducer.
A Classic Parametric Resonator
We present a MEMS realization of a classic parametric resonator. This parametric resonator is ideal in the sense that the electrostatic stiffness, which may be time modulated, is not affected by motion.
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MEMS 2017 abstract

A Piezoelectric Twisting Beam.
A Piezoelectric Twisting Beam
We demonstrated, for the first time ever, a piezoelectric beam actuator that responds in pure twist. The actuator is constructed from bulk PZT (following the work of Don DeVoe), and interdigitated electrodes that are rotated at 45º relative to the beam axis, are used for both poling and driving.
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