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Thermomechanical coupling and actuators

Special attention will be devoted to the creation of smart materials for microrobotics. Then, tentacle and endoscope elements will be set up, in which a smart hinge beam permits to control the deflection. Problems that will be considered are the control of force or displacement of thin TiNi wires (150$\mu$ diameter). The Peltier effect will be employed to increase the speed of the SMA actuator.