Abstract: Actuator assemblies, mechanical assemblies including the actuator assemblies, and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a piezoelectric element having a first side and a second side, a first electrode in electrical communication with the first side, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second side. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane. The mechanical assemblies include a first structure, which includes a first interface surface, a second structure, which includes a second interface surface, and the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to provide a motive force for relative motion between the first structure and the second structure. The methods include defining a first electrode on a first side of a piezoelectric element and defining a second electrode on a second side of the piezoelectric element. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies, mechanical assemblies including the actuator assemblies, and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a piezoelectric element having a first side and a second side, a first electrode in electrical communication with the first side, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second side. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane. The mechanical assemblies include a first structure, which includes a first interface surface, a second structure, which includes a second interface surface, and the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to provide a motive force for relative motion between the first structure and the second structure. The methods include defining a first electrode on a first side of a piezoelectric element and defining a second electrode on a second side of the piezoelectric element. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies, mechanical assemblies including the actuator assemblies, and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a piezoelectric element having a first side and a second side, a first electrode in electrical communication with the first side, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second side. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane. The mechanical assemblies include a first structure, which includes a first interface surface, a second structure, which includes a second interface surface, and the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to provide a motive force for relative motion between the first structure and the second structure. The methods include defining a first electrode on a first side of a piezoelectric element and defining a second electrode on a second side of the piezoelectric element. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane.

Abstract: Actuator assemblies, mechanical assemblies including the actuator assemblies, and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed herein. The actuator assemblies include a piezoelectric element having a first side and a second side, a first electrode in electrical communication with the first side, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the second side. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane. The mechanical assemblies include a first structure, which includes a first interface surface, a second structure, which includes a second interface surface, and the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to provide a motive force for relative motion between the first structure and the second structure. The methods include defining a first electrode on a first side of a piezoelectric element and defining a second electrode on a second side of the piezoelectric element. The first electrode includes a flexible, electrically conductive membrane.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.