Fabrication of carbon polymer composite manipulated multi-degree motion platform

Abstract

The ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators are the type of smart material that is capable of generating large deformations on the application of a small potential across the electrodes. In addition, the IEAP actuators with ionic liquid as an electrolyte are capable of operating in an open-air environment. These aspiring characteristics put forward these actuators to be a promising candidate for replacing traditional actuators in micro-actuation applications. The CPC actuators are distinguished from other types of IEAP’s by the presence of porous carbon as an electrode material and an ionic liquid as electrolyte. In this work we propose design and fabrication of a multi-degree freedom motion platform based on four carbon-polymer composite (CPC) actuators. The complete platform is fabricated as a single structure with appropriate masking. This motion system is highly dexterous and is capable of generating three different motion namely tip, tilt and piston motion. The experiment results have demonstrated high levels of manipulability from the CPC actuators that are outstanding in the class of soft ionic actuators while keeping the fabrication method simple, scalable and cost-effective.