Abstract: A stacked structure formed of two active element (AE) layers includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface totally formed on the first substrate and second substrate, respectively, and including an active region and a connecting region; a compression space between the first active region of the first conductive surface and the second substrate; an elastic layer including a plurality of elastic nodules spanning the compression space and contacting the second substrate, formed on the active region of the first conductive surface or on an exposed surface of the second substrate, the elastic nodules compressed in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces or to an external force; a conductive adhesive contacting the connecting region of the first and second conductive surfaces; and a conductive element coupled to the conductive adhesive, for electrically connecting the AE layers.

Abstract: An active element (AE) layer includes: a substrate including an active body area and a protruding arm; an electrode, formed on the substrate and including an active region for sensing or actuation formed on the active body area of the substrate and a connection region formed on the protruding arm of the substrate, wherein the electrode includes a first indented line around the periphery of the active region, extending into the connection region and reaching two respective edges of the connection region, wherein the first indented line totally penetrates the electrode to make the respective edges electrically isolated; and an insulator layer formed on the electrode covering the active region and partially covering the connection region, wherein the insulator layer fills the indented line of the electrode.

Abstract: A stacked structure is composed of a plurality of layers, and includes: a substrate; a plurality of conductive patterns printed on the substrate; and at least one layer of elastic nodules formed between two layers of the plurality of layers, the layer of elastic nodules including a sensing area being used for at least one of actuation or sensing. The stacked structure is formed by folding the substrate multiple times. The stacked structure further includes: an adhesive layer printed on but not completely covering the conductive patterns and substrate, and forming at least one air reservoir for holding air displaced when the sensing area is compressed. The stacked structure does not include electrically conducting through holes or electrically connecting structures.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: A stacked structure is composed of a plurality of layers, and includes: a substrate; a plurality of conductive patterns printed on the substrate; and at least one layer of elastic nodules formed between two layers of the plurality of layers, the layer of elastic nodules including a sensing area being used for at least one of actuation or sensing. The stacked structure is formed by folding the substrate multiple times. The stacked structure further includes: an adhesive layer printed on but not completely covering the conductive patterns and substrate, and forming at least one air reservoir for holding air displaced when the sensing area is compressed. The stacked structure does not include electrically conducting through holes or electrically connecting structures.

Abstract: A flat active element (FAE) layer includes: a substrate including an active body area and a protruding arm; an electrode, formed on the substrate and including an active region for sensing or actuation formed on the active body area of the substrate and a connection region formed on the protruding arm of the substrate, wherein the electrode includes a first indented line around the periphery of the active region, extending into the connection region and reaching two respective edges of the connection region, wherein the first indented line totally penetrates the electrode to make the respective edges electrically isolated; and an insulator layer formed on the electrode covering the active region and partially covering the connection region, wherein the insulator layer fills the indented line of the electrode.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which maybe or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

Abstract: An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.