Traditional electromechanical systems utilize electromagnetic actuators and blocking devices based on various solenoids or electromotors.

Those systems have a common drawback - considerable power consumption rooted in  the nature of electromagnetic forces. The more forces one needs the more electric current should be provided by power supply.

Thanks to diversity of physical science and progress in modern technologies, new ideas effectively replace ineffective ones.

A common-knowledge electrostatic phenomenon that the opposite electric charges attract each other emerges today as a new effective technology to solve a problem of high power consumption in electromechanics.

Dr. Martin Nunuparov of the General Physics Institute (Moscow, Russia - www.gpi.ru/~martin), has developed a new technology of electrostatical mechanics – CHIPLOCK technology which became the basis for development of various prototypes of electromechanical transducers like, for example, a clutch (see a picture).

To block a clutch like this, one needs only one microcoulomb of electric charge which can be generated just by pressing a piezoelement.

10 years of research determined that it is possible to design electrostatically activated blocking devices for any electromechanical systems with primary interlocking electrostatical forces of more then 10N and any desired secondary interlocking mechanical forces. Dimensions and formfactors of electrostatic blocking devices are usualy determined by the forces required by technical specs of a designed product.

In response to the market demand for universal low-power electromechanical devices, Qmodule, Inc. is developing new OEM module of electrostaticaly blocking device - Qblock, which is now ready for production.

Due to the low power consumption, Qblock can be powered by piezoelements or solar cells providing battery free solution for various electromechanical systems with microprocessor controls.

Qblock functionality has been tested at wide range of environment conditions: -40 +60 C, and high humidity - 95%.