A Novel Approach to Swimmer Actuation via Leaky Surface Acoustic Wave

Abstract

A novel approach to the swimmer actuation via leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) is proposed in this paper. The propulsion system of the swimmer is simple without tails and propellers because the acoustic propulsion of swimmer is derived from acoustic jet. In this study, the acoustic jet form the cavity is generated by the radiated longitudinal wave via LSAW, based on 128° y-rotated x-propagation lithium niobate substrate. Furthermore, the simple structure and low cost mass production of the SAW devices can be fulfilled. The device dimension can be miniaturized by the higher driving frequency; at 1 GHz, the dimension of U-IDT actuator are one-hundreds, namely, less than 0.3 mm. Because of the miniaturization and high power density, the novel swimmer with the LSAW actuator can be expected for the small robot in the human blood vessel. Particularly, small size swimmer is attempt to be a drug carrier or fixer inside the human body.