Novasentis’ thin, flexible actuators are made from a unique electro-active polymer film that delivers piezoelectric effects at lower operating voltages, when compared to traditional piezoelectric. In an unpowered state, the molecular structure of the film is randomly aligned. When powered, the molecules align in a direction that elongates the film, creating the piezoelectric effect.

Bonding or integrating our actuator to a rigid substrate transforms actuator elongation into out-of-plane vibration, creating the haptic effect. Because our integrated haptic devices vibrate well over a large range of frequencies, they enhance user experience with rich, low frequencies that provide pleasant sensations and higher frequencies that impart the detail and overtones creating effects with unusually natural sensations. In fact, they can produce audible sound when they vibrate in response to audio signals, similar to speakers. Amazingly enough, our actuators can simultaneously provide both haptic and audio feedback.