Scratch drive actuator

A scratch drive actuator (SDA) is a microelectromechanical system device that converts electrical energy into one-dimensional motion.

[1][2] The actuator component can come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the fabrication method used.

When this occurs, the brush is pushed forwards by a small amount, and energy is stored in the strained actuator.

When the voltage is removed, the actuator springs back into shape while the bushing remains in its new position.

By applying a pulsed voltage, the SDA can be made to move forward.