This paper provides a detailed overview of developments in transducer materials technology relating to their current and future applications in micro-scale devices. Recent advances in piezoelectric, magnetostrictive and shape-memory alloy systems are discussed and emerging transducer materials such as magnetic nanoparticles, expandable micro-spheres and conductive polymers are introduced. Materials properties, transducer mechanisms and end applications are described and the potential for integration of the materials with ancillary systems components is viewed as an essential consideration. The review concludes with a short discussion of structural polymers that are extending the range of micro-fabrication techniques available to designers and production engineers beyond the limitations of silicon fabrication technology.

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Articles you may be interested inStress-and magnetic field-induced entropy changes in Fe-doped Ni-Mn-Ga shape-memory alloys Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 071912 (2010); 10.1063/1.3309755 Shape memory and ferromagnetic shape memory effects in single-crystal Ni 2 MnGa thin films Large field induced strain in single crystalline Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloy Magnetic shape memory ͑MSM͒ materials change their shape with the magnetic field. They can also be used in the reverse operation as sensors or voltage generators. The present paper demonstrates that large voltages are induced when the MSM material is mechanically compressed inside a MSM actuator. The experimental results reveal that voltages of close to 100 V were generated with a Ni-Mn-Ga MSM material subjected to short mechanical impulses, because of a change in its magnetization. The induced voltage depends on the geometrical and material parameters of the MSM actuator, as well as on the speed by which the MSM material changes its shape. A magnetic model for calculating the induced voltage is proposed and the measurement results from a MSM-type actuator are presented. The magnetic model demonstrates good accordance with the experimental results. The physical reason for the voltage signal is discussed and potential applications are proposed.

Articles you may be interested inStress-and magnetic field-induced entropy changes in Fe-doped Ni-Mn-Ga shape-memory alloys Appl. Phys. Lett. 96, 071912 (2010); 10.1063/1.3309755Magnetic field effects on strain and resistivity during the martensitic transformation in Ni-Mn-Ga single crystals

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