Novel electric micromotor for consumer electronics applications

This paper introduces a novel electric micromotor that will be useful for a broad new array of consumer products. The micromotor has achieved an efficiency of 65% and a minimum torque of 11.6 μN.m. in a package with a volume of approximately 50 mm³. The device essentially consists of a very small quantity of water, a group of bubble injectors (similar to those used in inkjet printer technology), and an impeller. The bubble injectors propel high-velocity water micro-droplets toward the impeller, forcing it to rotate. The water is collected and is circulated back to the injectors. Comparisons with other existing micromotor technologies are given.