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A transducer compressible in response to electric power, including a flexible, conductive plastic layer microimprinted with a pattern and a stiff plastic layer containing a conductive embedded sheet.

We will discuss our work to build, characterize, and scale- up a metallized plastic muscle-like actuator called a Spiral Wound Transducer (SWT). Prototype SWTs have been built using microelectronics fabrication methods. The prototypes have demonstrated large amplitude motion and analog response. The prototypes, though small, have demonstrated forces equivalent to 12 grams for compressions of more than 15 percent at 30 Hz. The size of the SWTs is essentially unrestricted. Our work with commercially available metallized Mylar films to produce much larger, more powerful, and lower cost SWT devices will also be discussed.

I . The University of North Carolina at CharlotteDepartment of Electrical and Computer EngineeringCharlotte, NC 282232. Duke UniversityDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringDurham, NC 277063. MCNC, Electronic Technologies DivisionResearch Triangle Park, NC 277094. The University of North Carolina at CharlotteDepartment of ChemistryCharlotte, NC 282235. The University of North Carolina at CharlotteDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringCharlotte, NC 282236. Integrated Electronic Innovations Inc.Cary, NC 27513ABSTRACTA miniature ultrasound scanner has been constructed using a MEMS actuatorcalled an Integrated Force Array (IFA).1'2'3'4'5 A second type of actuator called aSpiral Wound Transducer (SWT) is under development and shows significantpromise for this application. Both the scanner and SWT will be discussed.1. MINIATURE ULTRASOUND SCANNERWe have previously discussed the miniature ultrasound scanner6 shown inFigure 1.