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This book covers various topics regarding the design of compliant mechanisms using topology optimization that have attracted a great deal of attention in recent decades. After comprehensively describing state-of-the-art methods for designing compliant mechanisms, it provides a new topology optimization method for finding new flexure hinges. It then presents several attempts to obtain distributed compliant mechanisms using the topology optimization method. Further, it discusses a Jacobian-based topology optimization method for compliant parallel mechanisms, and introduces readers to the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms, taking into account geometrical nonlinearity and reliability.

Providing a systematic method for topology optimization of flexure hinges, which are essential for designing compliant mechanisms, the book offers a valuable resource for all readers who are interested in designing compliant mechanism-based positioning stages. In addition, the methods for solving the de facto hinges in topology optimized compliant mechanisms will benefit all engineers seeking to design micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structures.

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Background.- Topology Optimization of Flexure Hinges.- Topology Optimization of Distributed Compliant Mechanisms.- Topology Optimization of Compliant Parallel Mechanisms.- Extensions.- Appendices.

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Xianmin ZHANG:

Received PhD degree of mechanical engineering from Beihang University in 1993, and now working at South China University of Technology as a Chair Professor. His is the Dean of the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering in South China University of Technology and the Director of the Guangdong Province Key laboratory of Precision Equipment and Manufacturing Technology. His research interests include Compliant mechanism, Robotics, Precision instrument, Dynamics and vibration control of mechanisms. He has finished over 60 projects and authored or co-authored over 300 technical papers and over 100 patents. He obtained the first-class technique prize of Guangdong Province in 2009 and 2014; and obtained the national patent award of China in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He has served as the chair of China Committee of IFToMM (International Federation for the Promotion of Mechanism and Machine Science) since June 2016.

Benliang ZHU:

Received PhD degree of mechanical engineering from South China University of Technology in 2014, and now working in South China University of Technology as a lecturer. His research interests involve MEMS technique, Precision positioning, Manipulation in the Micro- and Nano-scale.

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