KOMMMA (Cooperative Multistage Multistable Microactuator Systems) is a Priority Programme funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).
Ongoing miniaturization and increase of demands on the functionality of microsystems generate an urgent need of innovative approaches for the control of, e.g., mechanics, optics or fluidics on a miniature scale. An important prerequisite is the smart coupling of distributed microactuators to a cooperative synergetic actuation system. This opens up the potential to generate new functionalities and thereby to fulfill complex tasks comprising combinations of force, displacement and dynamics that have not been possible until now. In the meantime, many different microactuators are developed and in use; yet, their systematic coupling to cooperative multistage or, for instance, multistable microactuator systems is still outstanding. Actual developments in microsystems technology concentrate mainly on sensors and sensor systems. The coherent cooperation of different microactuators will enable innovative “smart” systems solutions building a bridge to the success of today’s sensor technology.
In order to accelerate research on cooperative multistage multistable microactuator systems Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) decided to establish the Priority Programme SPP 2206, which will be funded for 2x3 years. The objectives of this interdisciplinary Priority Programme are to demonstrate new theoretically founded concepts to understand the complex coupling and synergy effects in cooperative microactuator systems as well as novel methods for the design, fabrication and control of cooperative and/or multistage microactuator systems. The development of bi-/multistable mechanisms will be required.
The SPP brings together research groups of the different disciplines of microactuation, microsystems, material science, system simulation, control and systems engineering and focuses their complementary expertise ranging from basic principles to demonstrator applications. The research programme of the SPP will focus on four core issues on different lengths and/or time scales:
(1) Basic understanding of coupling effects and cross-sensitivities that arise from the spatially confined arrangement of diverse microactuators and corresponding functional materials
(2) Identification and understanding of synergy effects resulting from promising combinations of microactuators, inherent sensing properties and multistable mechanisms
(3) Design and evaluation of architectures of multifunctional actuator systems for microsystems applications
(4) Development methods for microsystems applications including microtechnologies, integration and functionalization of actuator materials and supporting structures
Proposals should focus on the core issues (1) and/or (2) during the first funding period and point out the route on how the core issues (3) and (4) will be addressed. Joint proposals which include cooperation across discipline orders will be encouraged. The number of principal investigators should reflect the complementary expertise needed for the proposed research. Proposals should aim at a comprehensive evaluation of cooperative multistage multistable microactuator systems (KOMMMA) addressing the route from fundamentals of design and engineering to innovative demonstrator systems for, e.g., micromechanics, -optics and -fluidics.
Proposals should not address the development of single actuators and developments exclusively on technologies, materials or simulation tools. Also, the development of any applications, e.g. robot and cyberphysical systems, will not be considered unless the proposals have a clear focus on cooperative multistage multistable microactuator systems.
