Light Driven Micromachines

Light Driven Micromachines addresses the fundamental characteristics of light activated and optically powered microstructures, simple mechanisms, and complex machines that perform mechanical work at the micro- and nano-scale. It provides a background for how light can initiate physical movement by inducing material or bending or inducing microforces on the surrounding medium. Then, it covers how the forces of light can be harnessed for trapping and manipulating micron-sized mechanical components. Smart materials that exhibit direct optical-to-mechanical energy conversion are examined from the perspective of designing photo-responsive actuators and optically driven systems.

George K. Knopf is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering at the University of Western Ontario (Canada). His areas of expertise and research interests include intelligent systems for design, laser microfabrication, micro-optics, optical microactuators, biosensors and bioelectronic imaging arrays. Past contributions have been to the development of intelligent systems for engineering design including studies on the characterization of micro geometry flaws in product data exchange, efficient packing of 3D parts for layered manufacturing, and the adaptive reconstruction of complex freeform surfaces. The innovative surface modeling algorithms have been applied to the reconstruction of complex bone geometry and fragmented archaeological artifacts. Other contributions include self-organizing feature maps that convert large numeric data sets into geometric forms for interactive data exploration and visualization. In recent years, the focus of research has significantly expanded in the areas of laser microfabrication, micro-optics and light driven technologies. These technologies include a unique approach to surface geometry measurement using an unconstrained range-sensor head [US patent 6,542,249], micro-optic element design for large area light guides and curtains, non-lithographic fabrication of metallic micro-mold masters by laser machining and welding, laser micro polishing and development of several bioelectronic devices that exploit the photoelectric signals generated by dried bacteriorhodopsin (bR) films. Biologically-based light activated transducers represent a new sensor technology that can be fabricated on flexible polymer substrates for creating novel imaging and biosensor systems [USA Patent No. 7,573,024]. Current research involves the development of electrically conductive graphene-based inks and novel fabrication processes for printing electronic circuitry on a variety of mechanically flexible surfaces (e.g. polymers, paper, and biocompatible silk). Laser microfabrication techniques are used for material removal and thermally reducing graphene-oxide (GO) films to produce conductive microcircuit features. The optical transparency characteristics of functionalized rGO circuits are also being investigated. In addition, he has co-edited two CRC Press volumes entitled Smart Biosensor Technology and Optical Nano and Micro Actuator Technology. Professor Knopf has acted as a technical reviewer for numerous academic journals, conferences, and granting agencies and has co-chaired several international conferences.

Kenji Uchino is a Professor in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University (USA). He is also the founding director of International Center for Actuators and Transducers and a pioneer in the area of piezoelectric actuators. His research interest is in solid state physics, especially in ferroelectrics and piezoelectrics, including basic research on theory, materials, device designing and fabrication processes, as well as application development of solid state actuators/sensors for precision positioners, micro-robotics, ultrasonic motors, smart structures, piezoelectric transformers and energy harvesting. Professor Uchino’s research activities have resulted in a number of important discoveries and/or inventions including lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-based electrostricive materials, cofired multilayer piezoelectric