The paper presents results concerning the optimization of a ferrofluid actuator using both genetic algorithms and evolutionary strategies. The aim of the optimization is to obtain a maximum equivalent force transmitted by the device. The finite element method is used for magnetic field analysis. The parameters of the evolutionary algorithms are chosen for best performance of the computational process and a comparative discussion is presented. The results improve those previously obtained using direct optimization methods.

Keywords: Optimization, Evolutionary algorithms, Finite element method, Ferrofluid actuators.