Foster-Miller developed a latch for space-based mechanisms that can maintain accurate force versus position response within 150 nanometers, or about one-quarter the wavelength of visible light. Such extremely accurate joints are normally made only with rigidly bonded structures, but our latch allows the structure to be folded into a small volume for transport in a spacecraft, then deployed as a large structure in earth orbit.
Foster-Miller's nano-stable latch uses an innovative ball bearing contact that eliminates micron-scale popping and lurching common to conventional latches. The high degree of stability and linearity of the nano-stable latch reduces dependence on active control systems with their attendant weight and cost.
We are currently pursuing applications of the nano-latch in high gain, high bandwidth satellite antennas for telecommunications. Other applications include manufacturing equipment for microchips and integrated circuits where placement of components is needed within sub-micron tolerances.
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