Actuator element and device including the actuator element

An actuator element comprising:

• a plate member;
• a piezoelectric/electrostrictive body disposed in facing relation to said plate member;
• and
• a beam disposed between said plate member and said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body and fixing said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body to said plate member;
• said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body having a piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer that overlaps an entirety of said beam, an upper electrode formed on a surface of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which faces said plate member, and a lower electrode formed on a surface of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer which is opposite to the surface thereof facing said plate member;
• whereby when an electric field is applied to said upper electrode and said lower electrode, a portion of said piezoelectric/electrostrictive body is displaced toward or away from said plate member.