Abstract
Electro-Conjugate Fluid (ECF) is a kind of dielectric fluids and a kind of functional fluids, which produces jet-flow(ECF-jet) by applying high voltage between electrodes. In addition, a strong ECF-jet is generated under ununiform electric field. Therefore, in this study, a pair of needle-type and ring-type electrodes (needle-ring pair) is used for generating ECF-jet. It is ascertained that the pressure due to ECF jet from needle-ring pair is increased by miniaturizing dimensions of the electrodes. The characteristics are suitable for micro manipulator. Therefore, the purpose of this study is the realization of novel micro manipulators using ECF-jet. In this paper, first, characteristics of ECF-jet from needle-ring pair are experimentally investigated. Second, a novel micro manipulator which is actuated by the same principle as well-known Bourdon tubes is fabricated. Third, static characteristics of the micro manipulator is experimentally investigated. Finally, another type micro manipularor, finger-type ECF micro manipulator is fabricated. Future works are fabrication and investigation of a microhand constructed with more than three finger-type ECF micro manipulators.
