Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: Passive stamp alignment system. The system includes a stamp supported by a stamp holder resting on three balls affixed to a top platform. A bottom platform supports a substrate to be aligned with the stamp. Means are provided for moving either the top or the bottom platform and holding the other platform stationary so as to contact the substrate with the stamp whereby the stamp holder is lifted away from each of the balls in sequence resulting in alignment of the stamp and the substrate parallel to each other.

Abstract: Passive stamp alignment system. The system includes a stamp supported by a stamp holder resting on three balls affixed to a top platform. A bottom platform supports a substrate to be aligned with the stamp. Means are provided for moving either the top or the bottom platform and holding the other platform stationary so as to contact the substrate with the stamp whereby the stamp holder is lifted away from each of the balls in sequence resulting in alignment of the stamp and the substrate parallel to each other.

Abstract: A microtome method and apparatus includes a microtome blade configured to oscillate in a direction transverse to a direction of advancing a cut, and a first flexure to support and guide the blade. The first flexure is compliant in the transverse direction while being stiff in the cut direction. A second flexure operatively engaged at one end portion with the first flexure, is stiff in the transverse direction while being compliant in the cut direction. The other end portion of the second flexure is rotatably engaged by an eccentric driven by a rotatable actuator, which oscillates the blade in the transverse direction while effectively isolating non-transverse motion from the blade. The second flexure is configured to move independently of any guides or other stationary objects during oscillation.

Abstract: A compliant holder device for constraining an animal includes a device body, a nose cone, and compliant flexure arms having contact surfaces for constraining the animal's head. In use, an animal is placed on the device body, and the nose of the animal is placed in the nose cone to constrain the skull at the nose. The compliant flexure arms are flexed to increase the distance between the contact surfaces of respective compliant flexure arms, and the ears of the animal are placed between the contact surfaces of the flexed compliant flexure arms, wherein the flex in the compliant flexure provides pressure to and constrains the skull at the ears.

Abstract: A compliant holder device for constraining an animal includes a device body, a nose cone, and compliant flexure arms having contact surfaces for constraining the animal's head. In use, an animal is placed on the device body, and the nose of the animal is placed in the nose cone to constrain the skull at the nose. The compliant flexure arms are flexed to increase the distance between the contact surfaces of respective compliant flexure arms, and the ears of the animal are placed between the contact surfaces of the flexed compliant flexure arms, wherein the flex in the compliant flexure provides pressure to and constrains the skull at the ears.

Abstract: A high-bandwidth MEMS actuation system includes actuator pairs coupled in parallel to a stage, each actuator energizable in a drive direction against a bias to an energized position, and movable upon deenergization, to the rest position to define an actuation cycle. The actuators are asymmetric, with an energization frequency greater than a bias frequency, and are opposably coupled to one another. A pulse generator alternately transmits pulses to the actuators, at an alternation frequency greater than the bias frequency. The pulse generator transmits the energization pulses to each of the actuator pairs sequentially at a sequence frequency greater than the cycle frequency. The actuators are each movable from energized to rest positions faster than the bias frequency, and the actuator pairs are sequentially energizable faster than the cycle frequency, wherein the stage is movable in one degree of freedom at a bandwidth of at least four times the cycle frequency.

Abstract: A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.

Abstract: An anchoring module capable of being secured within a structure includes at least one compliant ring configured to radially expand and an expandable device positioned within the compliant ring to expand the compliant ring from a relaxed state to interface with the structure. The anchoring module is part of a modular system used to harvest fluid, such as oil or natural gas from a structure, such as a pipe or well. Another module of the system, sometimes referred to as a support or back-up module, employs an expandable surface that is capable of expanding to the diameter of the interior of the borehole. These modules may be combined in a variety of configurations to support a sealing element, such as an inflatable sealing element. The self-conforming nature of the system obviates the need for prior knowledge of the structure or complex sensor systems to chart the structure. The anchoring module can also be utilized in a crawling system to convey tools inside a structure.

Abstract: A thermomechanical actuation system and method includes an elongated thermomechanical actuator (TMA), which is contoured so that electrical resistance at a mid-portion of the TMA is less than at end portions thereof. A pulse generator is electrically coupled to the TMA, and is configured to supply excitation pulses to the TMA. The excitation pulses are transient, so that each pulse is terminated prior to reaching a steady state amplitude, while having sufficient energy to heat the TMA to its predetermined operational temperature range.

Abstract: A MEMS actuator includes a coil stack in the form of microfabricated, electrically conductive first and second superposed layers. A magnet array is superposed in magnetic communication with the coil stack, with first and second coils being selectively, electrically actuatable to generate relative movement between the coil stack and the magnet array both in-plane and out-of-plane. In various embodiments, a plurality of the actuators are integrally coupled to a microfabricated compliant mechanism to provide a high bandwidth, six degree of freedom nanopositioner.

Abstract: A thermomechanical actuation system and method includes an elongated thermomechanical actuator (TMA), which is contoured so that electrical resistance at a mid-portion of the TMA is less than at end portions thereof. A pulse generator is electrically coupled to the TMA, and is configured to supply excitation pulses to the TMA. The excitation pulses are transient, so that each pulse is terminated prior to reaching a steady state amplitude, while having sufficient energy to heat the TMA to its predetermined operational temperature range.

Abstract: A slot filler module is presented. The slot filler module includes a RIM molded encapsulant, an insert disposed in a predetermined location within the encapsulant and a connector disposed proximate a first end of the RIM molded encapsulant.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) positioner, including an actuator and method for making the same, includes a stage formed within a first layer of semiconductor material, along with a series of beams, flexure hinges and controlled input thermal actuators. The actuators are operatively engaged with a second layer, and are selectively actuatable to effect longitudinal expansion thereof, so that relative actuation between individual ones of actuators spaced in the planar direction relative to one another is configured to generate controlled movement of the stage within the planar direction, and relative actuation between individual ones of actuators spaced orthogonally to the planar direction relative to one another is configured to generate controlled movement of the stage out of the planar direction. The relative position between the stage and the support is adjustable in each of six degrees of freedom, so that the compliant mechanism forms a quasi-static precision manipulator.

Abstract: A nano-scale compliant mechanism includes a coupler and a plurality of nanotubes disposed for nano-scale motion relative to a grounded component. The nanotubes are fastened at one end to the coupler and at the other end to ground, to guide motion of the coupler relative to the ground. Particular embodiments include a plurality of parallel carbon nanotubes. An exemplary embodiment exhibits first and second regions of mechanical behavior; a first region governed by bulk elastic deformation of the nanotubes and a second region governed by compliant, hinge-like bending of the buckled nanotubes.

Abstract: A compliant mechanism is provided for accurate and precision alignment of mechanical component parts, surfaces or assemblies and the like, where low-cost, accurate, and repeatable alignment are desired. The compliant mechanism may be used in applications that require high precision alignment and where the relative location of coupled components must be variable or adjustable. The compliant mechanism includes a stage coupled to a plurality of hinges, at least one tab coupled to one of the hinges, and a support coupled to the tab. The relative position of the stage and the support may be adjusted by actuating (i.e., displacing) the tab(s) or other parts of the structure, to enable controlled movement in six degrees of freedom therebetween.