Microwave‐driven thunder materials

Abstract

Abstract An experimental study of a smart‐materials actuator driven by a microwave is presented in this paper. A proof‐of‐concept experiment using a smart material, such as thin layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensor (THUNDER), has been demonstrated with wirelessly transmitted microwave power. Such an advance system will offer a new class of smart devices that are remotely controlled via wirelessly transmitted power. Thus, a system of this nature autonomously functions without an onboard power infrastructure. Potential applications are integrated sensors, actuators, and smart flight control in space applications, as well as biologically‐inspired systems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 36: 331–333, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10757