The CheMin instrument of the Curiosity Mars Rover performs chemical and mineralogical analyses on Mars rocks. In order to analyze rock samples, the rock powder first has to be sorted. PICMA Stack multilayer piezo actuators from PI Ceramic qualified for this task. They carry out the oscillations required in material selection and supply at a defined frequency. Due to their all-ceramic insulation, they are ideal for long-term use in outer space conditions at a temperature close to the absolute zero and with extremely low ambient pressure.
PICA Stack Actuators from PI for Precise and Reliable Image Stabilization in the World’s Largest Telescope
· Dr. Daniel Jakobsen
In the Chilean desert, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is currently building the largest telescope in the world - the ELT. It consists of five mirrors, with the main mirror having a diameter of 39 meters. The smallest mirror, the M5, is designed to compensate for aberrations and guarantee high image quality, thanks in part to eleven PICA stack actuators from PI Ceramic.
Piezoceramics Make Precise Liquid Handling in In Vitro Diagnostics Possible
· Dr. Annemarie Oesterle
In vitro diagnostics (IVD) is a requirement for recognizing diseases in blood, saliva, and urine samples. Some IVDs are used for analysis in laboratories, while point-of-care (PoC) tests are used close to the patient. However, all IVDs have one thing in common: Tiny liquid samples, in the milli- or picoliter range, are moved. For the handheld PoC devices, it is important for the components to be small and space-saving.
Innovative Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures Based on Piezo Technology
· Dr. Annemarie Oesterle
What does piezo technology have to do with COVID-19? In the fight against the Corona virus, piezo components enable diagnosis and therapy procedures, from PCR tests to respirators.
