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Discusses the failings of conventional fixturing systems such as jigs and clamps and describes how electrorheological fluids can be used for flexible fixturing and workpiece retention.

Discusses the demise of the thermeonic valve and the firm establishment of the transistor as the major active component in electronic circuits.

Piezoelectric actuators are well established for use in expensive optical equipment. Within the last decade, relatively inexpensive piezoelectric actuators have become established technology in pneumatic switching and the first piezoelectrically driven impactive robot grippers are just starting to emerge. Although this article concentrates largely on the use of piezoelectric actuators for use in robot gripping systems, the potential for applications outside this field is immense.

Describes the benefits of using electroadhesion when handling very delicate, polished and/or coated optical and electro‐optical microcomponents. Electroadhesion is a technique already familiar to those working in the semiconductor industry and is eminently suitable for the handling of microcomponents in air, gas or vacuum.

Pin‐points three possibilities to do with micro‐actuators and micro assembly and discusses them in detail, using technical terms to enhance explanation. Concludes more will be heard of these techniques in time to come.

Ultrasound is a well-established technology in medical science, though many of the conventional measurement systems (hydrophones and radiation force balances [RFBs]) often lack accuracy and tend to be expensive. This is a significant problem where sensors must be considered to be “disposable” because they inevitably come into contact with biological fluids and expense increases dramatically in cases where a large number of sensors in array form are required. This is inevitably the case where ultrasound is to be used for the in vitro growth stimulation of a large plurality of biological samples in tissue engineering. Traditionally only a single excitation frequency is used (typically 1.5 MHz), but future research demands a larger choice of wavelengths for which a single broadband measurement transducer is desirable. Furthermore, because of implementation conditions there can also be large discrepancies between measurements. The purpose of this paper deals with a very cost-effective alternative to expensive RFBs and hydrophones.

Utilization of cost-effective piezoelectric elements as broadband sensors.

Very effective results with equivalent (if not better) accuracy than expensive alternatives.

This paper concentrates on how very cost-effective piezoelectric ultrasound transducers can be implemented as sensors for ultrasound power measurements with accuracy as good, if not better than those achievable using radiation force balances or hydrophones.

Sheds light on why there is now such a proliferation of new chemical sensors. Describes various olfactory sensors and their differing uses. Concludes that in some areas, although not as efficient as traditional methods, sensors do have some merit.

Drawing on the events of two recent motor and actuator technology conferences, reports a renewed interest in electromagnetic products. Looks, in particular, at the flat transformer which, unlike the square transformer, overcomes problems of heat generation and dissipation. Discusses the recent developments of the electrostatic micromotor and the many applications which exist for motors of this size, for instance in micro‐robots and micro‐grippers, and other new ideas such as the adhesive micro‐gripper, the piezo‐electric actuator, different shape memory alloy (SMA) profiles and applications, including a miniature inspection robot and exploitation of SMA’s superelastic qualities.

Surveys the research being carried out in the field of chemical and biosensor technology by the network of Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany. Specifically looks at pH monitoring in chemical sensing; immunosensors in viral disease diagnosis; and surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices in delay lines and filters.

Looks at the use of infrared sensors, noting that they fall into the two basic groups of quantum and thermal devices. Focuses on quantum devices and their further subdivision into photoconductive and photovoltaic types. Notes that thermal devices also fall into two categories: those relying on the Seebeck effect, and those known as ferroelectrics. Looks at the use of ferroelectric materials in pyrometry. Concludes by noting the advantages of some of the various types of system.