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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T17120/01
Title: An Industrial Demonstrator for a New Low-Cost Ultrasonic Piezoelectric Motor
Principal Investigator: Whatmore, Professor RW
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Dr S Wilson
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Industrial and Manufacturing Scie
Organisation: Cranfield University
Scheme: Follow on Fund (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2004 Ends: 31 December 2004 Value (£): 24,930
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Microsystems
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Electronics
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposed research is intended to build on previous work relating to the design and development of a novel piezoelectric motor. The motor is capable of being manufactured at low cost and can used in nano, micro and meso scale mechanical devices.Piezoelectric motors represent a completely different class of device than conventional electromagnetic motors, they are compact in size and have a greater torque to weight ratio than their electromagnetic counterparts. They have a wide dynamic range of speed without a gearing mechanism, have low power consumption and hold their position by friction locking when power is turned off. High resolution of motion can be achieved with excellent stopstart response. The motors are intrinsically non-magnetic and have no external magnetic sensitivity which makes them suitable for use in areas with high magnetic fields of other electrical interference.The main focus of the development work will be to build on previous knowledge of motor designs to create a working prototype capable of commercial production. It is intended that the design and materials will allow the production of piezoelectric motors on a large scale and at a cost suitable for general applications especially lightweight and disposable devices e.g. 'Lab on a chip' and micro aircraft.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk