Abstract: A Bidirectional, Linear and Binary, Segmented Antagonistic Servomechanism-based Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuator comprising a main stroke transmitting lever (11 or 18) and a plurality of part-modules (15A or 15B) disposed in a closely spaced arrangement and adapted to undergo a reciprocal translation in a first direction. wherein, the part-modules comprising a plurality of segments having SMA elements (12). The invention provides two configurations arranged in ‘straight’ and ‘cross’ configurations of the SMA elements in the part-modules. Further above configuration are arranged in a tight close space however, the “cross” configuration provides additional 40% compactness. The configurations comprise a “S-type long tail” or “flipped F-type long tail” main stroke transmitting lever and plurality of “straight” or “cross” configurations part modules, respectively.

Abstract: A new process is described for the preparation of (alkoxyalkyl)(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)methanones. The process comprises reacting a 4-trifluoromethylbenzonitrile with an alkoxyalkyl Grignard in the presence of a suitable polar aprotic solvent. The compound (4-methoxybutyl)(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)methanone is useful as an intermediate in the preparation of the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine.