Remarkable developments have taken place in the field of mechatronics in recent years. As symbolized by the "Janglish (Japanese English)" word, mechatronics, the technology and the social adaptation for introducing electronics into mechanics has been readily accepted in Japan. Currently robots are producing many products under computer control in Japanese factories, and supermarkets are utilizing automation systems for sample displays and sales. Further, the fast paced change in semiconductor chip technology has given rise to the need for micro-displacement positioning techniques. Actuators utilizing piezoelectridelectrostrictive effects are expected to meet these needs in mechanical components in the next micro­ mechatronic age. This book, in English, builds on my earlier publications concerned with ceramic actuators. The first edition titled "Essentials for Development and Applications of Piezoelectric Actuators" was published in 1984 through the Japan Industrial Technology Center. The second edition "PiezoelectriclElectrostrictive Actuators" published in Japanese through Morikita Pub. Co. (Tokyo) became one of the best sellers in that company in 1986, and was then translated into Korean. The problem solving edition "Piezoelectric Actuators -Problem Solving" was also published through Morikita, which was sold in conjunction with a 60 minute video tape to provide easy understanding.

1 The Trends in Micro-Mechatronics and Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Actuators.- 1.1 Need for Micro-Displacement Transducers.- 1.2 Conventional Methods of Micro-Positioning.- 1.3 Review of Solid State Actuators.- 1.4 Future Directions for Ferroelectrics.- 2 Origins Of Electric Field Induced Strains.- 2.1 Ferroelectrics.- 2.2 Phenomenology of Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Strains.- 2.3 Microscopic Origins of Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Strains.- 2.4 Ferroelectric Domain Reorientations.- 3 Piezoelectric and Related Materials for Actuator Applications.- 3.1 Electrostriction in Oxide Perovskites.- 3.2 Practical Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Materials.- 3.3 Temperature Characteristics of Electrostriction.- 3.4 Response Speed.- 3.5 Uniaxial Stress Dependence.- 3.6 Mechanical Strength.- 4 Structures and Fabrication Processes of Ceramic Actuators.- 4.1 Fabrication Processes of Ceramics.- 4.2 Fabrication Processes of Single Crystals and Thin Films.- 4.3 Piezoceramic: Polymer Composites.- 4.4 Designs of Ceramic Actuators.- 4.5 Ceramic Electrode Materials.- 4.6 Commercialized Piezoelectric Actuators.- 5 Measuring Techniques for Micro-Displacements and High Power Piezoelectric Characteristics.- 5.1 Electrical Methods.- 5.2 Optical Methods.- 5.3 X-ray Methods.- 5.4 Ultrasonic Methods.- 5.5 Piezoelectric Pressure Sensors.- 5.6 High Power Piezoelectric Characteristics.- 6 Drive/Control Techniques of Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Actuators.- 6.1 Classification of Piezoelectric Actuators.- 6.2 Pulse Width Modulation Method.- 6.3 Polarization Control Method.- 6.4 Dynamic Control of Ceramic Actuators.- 6.5 Feedback Control.- 7 Servo Displacement Transducer Applications.- 7.1 High Precision Interferometric Dilatometer.- 7.2 Deformable Mirrors.- 7.3 Microscope Stages.- 7.4 PrecisionLinear Motion Guide Mechanism.- 7.5 Cutting Error Correction Mechanism.- 7.6 Oil-Pressure Servo Valves.- 7.7 VCR Head Tracking Actuators.- 7.8 Vibration Suppression Systems.- 8 Pulse Drive Motor Applications.- 8.1 Swing CCD Image Sensor.- 8.2 Inchworm Devices.- 8.3 Dot-Matrix Printer Heads.- 8.4 Ink Jet Printers.- 8.5 Piezoelectric Relays.- 9 Ultrasonic Motor Applications.- 9.1 Classification of Ultrasonic Motors.- 9.2 Standing Wave Type Motors.- 9.3 Propagating Wave Type Motors.- 9.4 Micro-Walking Machines.- 9.5 Speed/Thrust Calculation.- 9.6 Motor Designing Flow.- 9.7 Reliability of Ultrasonic Motors.- 9.8 Other Ultrasonic Devices.- 10 Present Status of Piezoelectric/Electrostrictive Actuators and Remaining Problems.- 10.1 Development Trends as Viewed from Patent Disclosure Statistics.- 10.2 Market of Piezoelectric Actuators/Ultrasonic Motors.- 10.3 Remaining Problems.- 10.4 Future of Ceramic Actuators.- Appendix 1 Standardization of Ceramic Actuators.- Appendix 2: Committee/Workshops on Ceramic Actuators.- Appendix 3: References to Commercialized Ceramic Actuators.