Study on Time-Dependent Bending Response of IPMC Actuator

Abstract

Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuators have considerable potential for a wide range of applications. Although IPMC actuators are widely studied for their electromechanical properties, most studies have been conducted at the ambient conditions. The electromechanical performance of IPMC actuators at higher temperature is still far from understood. IPMCs are polymer-based soft composites that can be designed as soft actuators and sensors. IPMC actuators have several unique properties, including low density, large bending strain, low noise, high resilience, and low operation voltage; which make their application more practical compare to many of their metal- or ceramic-based counterparts. This chapter is a summary of all recent findings and current state-of-the art manufacturing techniques, phenomenological laws and mechanical and electrical characteristics. The time dependent bending characteristics of IPMC actuators has been widely studied, experimentally, and theoretically, as artificial muscles for biomedical applications, biomimetic micro-robotics, and harsh environment tools. The first one of contents presents a brief summary of the fundamental properties and characteristics of IPMC. The following addresses in detail the electronic and electromechanical characteristics of IPMCs, the phenomenological Modelling of the underlying sensing and actuation mechanisms in IPMCs and the potential application areas for IPMCs.