Electroactive polymers

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Electroactive Polymers or EAPs are polymers whose shape is modified when a voltage is applied to them. They can be used as actuators or sensors. As actuators, they are characterized by the fact that they can undergo a large amount of deformation while sustaining large forces. Due to the similarities with biological tissues in terms of achievable stress and force, they are often called artificial muscles, and have the potential for application in the field of robotics, where large linear movement is often needed.

EAP can have several configurations, but are generally divided in two principal classes:

• Dielectric EAPs, in which actuation is caused by electrostatic forces between two electrodes which squeeze the polymer. This kind of EAP is characterized by a large actuation voltage (several thousand volts), but very low electrical power consumption. Dielectric EAPs require no power to keep the actuator at a given position.
• Ionic EAPs, in which actuation is caused by the displacement of ions inside the polymer. Only a few volts is needed for actuation, but the ionic flow implies a higher electrical power needed for actuation, and energy is needed to keep the actuator at a given position. See for example the Bucky gel actuator.