Review -- Next-Generation Actuators -- High Precision/Nano Actuators -- Surface Acoustic Wave Motor Modeling and Motion Control -- AZARASHI (Seal) Mechanism for Meso/Micro/Nano Manipulators -- Disturbance Observer Design Based on Frequency Domain -- Development of High-Speed Actuator for Scanning Probe Microscopy -- PZT Driven Micro XY Stage -- Precise Position Stages Using Pneumatically Driven Bellows Actuator and Cylinder Equipped with Air Bearings -- Micro Actuators -- Development of a New Nano-Micro Solid Processing Technology Based on a LIGA Process and Next-Generation Microactuators -- New Microactuators Using Functional Fluids -- Two-Axial Piezoelectric Actuator and Its Motion Control Toward Development of a Tactile Display -- High-Performance Electrostatic Micromirrors -- Non-Contact On-Chip Manipulation of 3-D Microtools and Its Applications -- Shape Memory Piezoelectric Actuator and Various Memories in Ferroelectric Materials -- Design and Fabrication of Micro Pump for Functional Fluid Power Actuation System -- Intelligent Actuators -- Intelligent Actuators for Mechatronics with Multi-Degrees of Freedom -- Actuation of Long Flexible Cables Using Ciliary Vibration Drive -- Micro Cilium Actuators in Group -- Novel Thin-Type High-Speed Ultrasonic Motors and Gyro-Moment Motors -- Biochemical Pump with Enzymatic Reaction -- Domain Wall Engineering in Lead-Free Piezoelectric Materials and Their Enhanced Piezoelectricities -- IPMC Actuator -- Power Actuators -- Pneumatic Rubber Artificial Muscles and Application to Welfare Robotics -- Dynamic Characteristics of Ultrasonic Motors -- Actuator with Multi Degrees of Freedom -- Segment-Structured Diamond-Like Carbon Films Application to Friction Drive of Surface Acoustic Wave Linear Motor -- Mechanism of Electroactive Polymer Actuator -- Development of a Polymer Actuator Utilizing Ion-Gel as Electrolyte -- Compact MR Fluid Actuator for Human Friendly System -- Development of Actuator Utilizing Hydrogen Storage Alloys -- Actuators for Special Environments -- Development of New Actuators for Special Environment -- Applications of Electrostatic Actuators Within Special Environments -- Micro Actuator System for Narrow Spaces Under Specific Environment -- Development of Ultrasonic Micro Motor with a Coil Type Stator -- Self-Running Non-Contact Ultrasonically Levitated Stage -- Development of Shape Memory Actuator for Cryogenic Application -- Development of Environmental-Friendly Lead-Free Piezoelectric Materials for Actuator Uses.

Actuators, which move and manipulate objects, are the key technological components for all modern science and technologies. The advent of new, outstanding actuators will bring innovation to a range of different areas – such as basic science, industry, medicine, welfare, and the global environment – and in this way will provide us with a better quality of life. Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs is the proceedings of the final symposium of MEXT Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas: Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs, held in January 2010. This project pursues the realization of next-generation actuators and accumulates the common basic technologies for actuators, with a view to possible future applications. Since the realization of next-generation actuators requires an interdisciplinary approach, the research has been organized according to a broad technological perspective that consists of: • actuators for small motion of nano-meters; • small-size actuators of micro-meters structures; • intelligent actuators for functional motions; • power actuators for large force/torque; and • actuators for special environments. Next-Generation Actuators Leading Breakthroughs also deals with common fundamental technologies for these actuators, such as intelligent materials, machining processes, control technologies, evaluation methods, and system integration. It provides cutting-edge research for researchers, postgraduates, and practitioners in mechanical, electrical, and materials industries.