Mesoscopic Winch for Precise Extension and Retraction

A proposed lightweight, micromachined winch would have microscopic structural details and mesoscopic overall dimensions and would be capable of generating bidirectional macro- scopic motion (maximum cable extension or retraction ≈1 m) with submicron increments. Winches like this one could be useful for actuating small mechanisms in scientific instruments and robots: examples of such mechanisms include translation stages; slide shutters and filters for imaging photodetector arrays; pan, tilt, or zoom actuators for cameras; mechanisms for dragging sampling scoops; and steering mechanisms for small robotic vehicles.