Bi-directional actuator

A beam shaping element, comprising;

• a channel having one or more boundary walls, wherein at least one boundary wall comprises one or more actuator that comprises (i) a heat-sensitive shape-memory layer, wherein the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer includes a shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy existing in a first phase below a first temperature, and a second phase above a second temperature, and wherein a transition from the first to the second phase stimulates the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer to move from any first shape into a second, predetermined shape, (ii) an electro-active polymer layer, coupled with the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer such that both follow a same shape, the electro-active polymer layer being deformable, in response to an applied voltage, and a heating means for controlling a temperature of the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer;
• and
• one or more optical elements arranged at one end of the channel.

An adaptive lighting device comprising:

• one or more beam-shaping elements that comprise a channel having one or more boundary walls, wherein at least one boundary wall comprises one or more actuator that comprise (i) a heat-sensitive shape-memory layer, wherein the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer includes a shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy existing in a first phase below a first temperature, and a second phase above a second temperature, and wherein a transition from the first to the second phase stimulates the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer to move from any first shape into a second, predetermined shape, (ii) an electro-active polymer layer, coupled with the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer such that both follow a same shape, the electro-active polymer layer being deformable, in response to an applied voltage, and a heating means for controlling a temperature of the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer;
• and
• one or more solid-state lighting elements disposed within at least one boundary wall of the channel.

A skin-contacting structure for a skin-hair shaving device, the skin contacting structure for contacting a skin portion of a skin during shaving of said skin by the shaving device, the structure comprising an actuator for altering a relative position or orientation between at least a part of the skin contacting structure and the skin portion, wherein the actuator comprises (i) a heat-sensitive shape-memory layer, wherein the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer includes a shape memory alloy, the shape memory alloy existing in a first phase below a first temperature, and a second phase above a second temperature, and wherein a transition from the first to the second phase stimulates the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer to move from any first shape into a second, predetermined shape, (ii) an electro-active polymer layer, coupled with the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer such that both follow a same shape, the electro-active polymer layer being deformable, in response to an applied voltage, and a heating means for controlling a temperature of the heat-sensitive shape-memory layer.