Electro-active paperactuators

Abstract

In this paper, the actuation mechanism ofelectro-active paper (EAPap) actuators is addressed and thepotential of the actuators is demonstrated. EAPap is a paperthat produces large displacement with small force under an electrical excitation. EAPap is made with a chemically treatedpaper by constructing thin electrodes on both sides of thepaper. When electrical voltage is applied on the electrodes theEAPap produces bending displacement. However, the displacementoutput has been unstable and degraded with timescale. Toimprove the bending performance of EAPap, different paperfibers - softwood, hardwood, bacteria cellulose, cellophane, carbon mixture paper, electrolyte containing paper and Koreantraditional paper, in conjunction with additive chemicals, weretested. Two attempts were made to construct the electrodes: thedirect use of aluminum foil and the gold sputtering technique.It was found that a cellophane paper exhibits a remarkablebending performance. When 2 MV m-1 excitation voltage wasapplied to the paper actuator, more than 3 mm tipdisplacement was observed from the 30 mm long paper beam.This is quite a low excitation voltage compared with that of otherEAPs. Details of the experiments and results are addressed.