Unconventional Actuators

Unconventional actuator is a rather pragmatic label for an energy controller/energy converter combinations whose functions are based on other physical effects than described so far. According to this definition one would have to consider a large number of actuator principles, including those which are not really relevant in practice. A selection is therefore made under the following two criteria: The first says that the actuators presented here are based on special properties of new or improved materials, the second says that they must have passed the laboratory stage of development and/or they must be on the verge of a large-scale application in the industry.