New Scale Awarded Fundamental U.S. Patent for Piezoelectric SQUIGGLE Motor Technology
Patent validates unique design of tiny ceramic motor used in mobile phone cameras, MRI-safe implantable
medical devices, and vacuum or low-temperature research applications
September 14, 2005 - Rochester, NY - The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted New Scale Technologies,
Inc. a fundamental patent for its revolutionary SQUIGGLE motor design. Made of piezoelectric ceramics and other
non-magnetic materials, the tiny SQUIGGLE motor has applications in nanotechnology research, microelectronics,
optics, lasers, biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace and defense, fluid control, and office/consumer products
including mobile phone cameras.
Patent Number 6,940,209 issued on September 6, 2005.
"This fundamental patent on our SQUIGGLE motor technology validates its unique design," said New Scale president
David Henderson. "It gives us key intellectual property protection as we continue to develop new, smaller SQUIGGLE
motors and pursue additional commercial applications."
The SQUIGGLE motor design uses a threaded nut and screw to create precise linear movement in a very small space.
Piezoelectric ceramics create ultrasonic vibrations in the nut, causing the screw to rotate and translate with
high precision. Since introducing the first SQUIGGLE motor in 2004, New Scale has continuously improved the
performance and reduced the size of its miniature motors. The latest models are less than 3 mm in diameter.
SQUIGGLE motors are smaller, more precise, less expensive and more efficient than conventional electromagnetic
motors. With its unique materials and construction, the SQUGGLE motor operates reliably in extreme environments
such as vacuum, very cold (sub-kelvin) temperatures, and very high magnetic fields.
A key application is control of auto focus and optical zoom lenses in mobile phone cameras, where the motor's
compact size and low power consumption offer advantages over current technology. Because it is non-magnetic, it
also offers unique benefits in medical device development; for example, creation of tiny drug delivery pumps
that are MRI-safe and image compatible.
About New Scale Technologies, Inc.
New Scale Technologies, Inc. (www.newscaletech.com)
makes miniature ceramic motors that enable our customers to create smaller products and research tools.
With only four parts and no gears, this patented piezoelectric motor design uses ultrasonic vibrations to create
precise linear motion. New Scale's miniature motors are compatible with extreme environments including vacuum,
very low (sub-Kelvin) temperatures, and high magnetic fields. They are used in nanotechnology research,
microelectronics, optics, lasers, biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace and defense, fluid control, a
nd office/consumer products including mobile phone cameras.
SQUIGGLE is a registered trademark of New Scale Technologies, Inc.
For more information contact:
Fred Haas, Sales Manager, New Scale Technologies
Phone 585-924-4450 x 112
fhaas@newscaletech.com
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