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In recent years, piezoelectric and electrostrictive ceramics have been used in many actuators applications. A new type of composite actuator, which is based on the concept of a flextensional transducer, has been developed. (1-6) This ceramicmetal composite actuator, or "moonie" consists of either a piezoelectric ceramic disk or a multilayer stack sandwich between two specially designed metal end caps. This new design provides a sizeable displacement, as well as a large generative force. In other words, it bridges the gap between the two most common types of actuator; the multilayer and bimorph (7).

A new type of metal-ceramic composite transducer, the "moonie,' has been developed by sandwiching a poled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic between two specially designed metal end caps. Piezoelectric coefficients an order of magnitude larger than PZT itself are obtained. The metal-ceramic composites are being developed as fish finders, hydrophones, actuators, and transducers with integrated sensing and actuating capabilities. This paper describes the moonie principle, optimization of the moonie design using finite element analysis, and the performance of the device for several different applications.

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