Electroactive polymers

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are polymers which change by applying an electric voltage shape. Apply this materials as actuators or sensors. Due to the similarity of their functioning to that of natural muscles, they are often called "artificial muscles ".

A distinction is generally between ionic and electronic EAP EAP.

For ionic EAP mechanism of action is based on mass transport (diffusion) of ions. Subgroups such EAP are conductive polymers, ionic polymer metal composites and ionic gels.

The operation of electronic EAP contrast, is based on electronic charge transport. This group electrostrictive and ferroelectric polymers are counted and dielectric elastomers.

Advantages of EAP relative to other actuator materials such as piezoelectric ceramics, the high expansion, which can be obtained are (up to 380% ) and the low density of the polymers and the free moldability.

History

The first scientific paper on EAP was published in 1880 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. He conducted an experiment with a rubber band, which he hung on one side and stretched with weights. By an electrical charge, he observed an increase in length by several percent, which could be reversed by the discharge of the rubber.

Sources and References

Swell

• Bar -Cohen, Y. (ed.), Electroactive polymer ( EAP) as artificial muscles, reality, potential and challenges, SPIE Press, 2001.
• Kornbluh, R., Dielectric elastomer artificial muscle for Actuation, sensing, generation and intelligent structures, Materials Technology, 2004, 19, 216-224.
• Roentgen, W. C. About the caused by electricity on shape and volume change of dielectric bodies, Annals of Physics and Chemistry, new episodes, 1880, 11, 771-786.