In-plane-strain-actuated out-of-plane actuator

An apparatus comprising an actuator that includes:

• a first island that defines a first plane;
• a first hinge having a first end and a second end that is connected to the first island, the first hinge having a first arm, a first curve, and a second arm that are serially connected between the first end and the second end;
• a second island that defines a second plane;
• and
• a second hinge having a third end and a fourth end that is connected to the second island, the second hinge having a third arm, a second curve, and a fourth arm that are serially connected between the third end and the fourth end;
• wherein the actuator is configured such that it has an unactuated state and an actuated state, and wherein:
• (A) when the actuator is in the unactuated state, (i) the first end and second end are separated by a first separation in the first plane, (ii) the third end and fourth end are separated by a second separation in the second plane, (iii) the first island and first hinge are coplanar in the first plane, and (iv) the second island and second hinge are coplanar in the second plane;
• and
• (B) when the actuator is in the actuated state, (i) the first end and second end are separated by a third separation in the first plane that is greater than the first separation, (ii) the first hinge has a first longitudinal strain that exceeds a first threshold and the first hinge imparts a first force on the first island, the first force being directed out of the first plane, (iii) the third end and second end are separated by a fourth separation that is greater than the second separation, and (iv) the third hinge has a second longitudinal strain that exceeds a second threshold and the third hinge imparts a second force on the second island, the second force being directed out of the second plane.

A method comprising:

• (A) providing an actuator having a first end and a second end wherein the first end and second end are separated by a first separation in a first plane, and wherein the first separation is controllable, and wherein the actuator includes:
• (i) a first island;
• (ii) a first hinge that is mechanically coupled between the first end and the first island;
• (iii) a second hinge that is mechanically coupled between the second end and the first island;
• and
• (iv) a second island that defines a second plane;
• wherein the actuator is configured such that:
• (a) when the actuator is in its quiescent state, (1) the first separation has a first magnitude, (2) the first end, second end, first hinge, second hinge, and first island are co-planar in the first plane, and (3) the first hinge is substantially strain-free;
• and
• (b) when the actuator is in an actuated state, (1) the first end and second end are separated by a second separation that gives rise to a macro-strain in the actuator and (2) the first hinge generates a first force on the first island based on the macro-strain and the second hinge generates a second force on the second island based on the macro-strain, wherein the first force is directed out of the first plane and the second force is directed out of the second plane;
• (B) controlling the first separation.