Non-conventional Technologies Research Articles

Inactivation of microorganisms in foods by electric field processing: A review

The inactivation of microorganisms is critical for ensuring the safety of food products. Currently, emerging electrotechnologies have attracted considerable attention. These non-conventional technologies for food processing rely on thermal effects, non-thermal effects, or a combination of them to achieve this goal. Conventional pasteurization requires a heat transfer medium. It is often performed at high temperatures, leadinging to food quality degradation and flavour distortion. Electrotechnologies contain ohmic heating (OH), pulsed electric field (PEF), and induced electric field (IEF) treatment, which utilize both electric potential difference and current. Compared to conventional heating, they can reduce inactivation temperature thresholds and duration while retaining nutritional value, having a minimal negative impact on food quality, flavor, and color. Since the main purpose of food processing is based on microorganism inactivation to ensure food safety and storability, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the current application of electric field technologies. This paper reviews the research progress on the inactivation of microorganisms by OH, PEF, and IEF treatment. Additionally, it presents the generation characteristics of electrotechnologies and an outlook on future development.

Mechanical and Magnetic Properties Variation in Non-Oriented Electrical Steels with Different Cutting Technology: A Review.

The problem of energy consumption reduction establishes important challenges for electric motor producers in the framework of new international regulations regarding the conditions that must be accomplished by motors in the near future. One of the most important topics is related to the core loss decrease directly linked to the effect of electrical steel degradation induced by the cutting technology. Understanding exactly how this phenomenon occurs by analyzing the chemical, mechanical, crystallographic, magnetic domain, and magnetic properties is of utmost importance when manufacturing processes must be changed and adapted to a new market characterized by high-efficiency motors. Today, mechanical and laser cutting technologies are the most used because of their reduced price and high-speed process. Still, unfortunately, these methods are not the best due to the fact that they lead, in most cases, to a high value of magnetic core losses, low electromagnetic torque, and hence reduced efficiency. This review paper shows that non-conventional technologies such as water jetting and electroerosion could be applied if proper modifications are added. This paper's main idea is to present a comprehensive study regarding the impact of cutting technologies on microhardness and residual stresses, crystallographic texture, magnetic domain structure, and magnetic properties of some non-oriented electrical steels used in motor production. It provides a detailed analysis of the abovementioned aspects by including the authors' research and findings in the wider context of other research group contributions. It also offers a general idea of the mechanisms present at the macro- and microscopic levels. The readers can find some of the most used analytical models, including the cutting process's damaged effect on the magnetic properties' variation based on a simple mathematical approach and examples of finite element modeling performed on real motor designs implemented in various programs. Last but not least, some practical implementations of the cutting procedure's influence on motor working conditions are presented in the last section of the paper. It provides an up-to-date analysis regarding how the cutting method should be included in high-efficiency motor production by emphasizing the importance of the topic and identifying where supplementary research must be undertaken. From the investigated literature, by analyzing specific sample geometries associated with different characterization methods, it can be concluded that all the cutting technologies have an important contribution to the mechanical and magnetic quantities. When the magnetic core of an electric motor is produced through non-conventional methods, the overall influence of the cutting procedure has a low percentage in the motor efficiency, as presented in this paper.

A Review of Novel and Non-Conventional Propulsion Integrations for Next-Generation Aircraft

The aim of this review paper is to collect and discuss the most relevant and updated contributions in the literature regarding studies on new or non-conventional technologies for propulsion–airframe integration. Specifically, the focus is given to both evolutionary technologies, such as ultra-high bypass ratio turbofan engines, and breakthrough propulsive concepts, represented in this frame by boundary layer ingestion engines and distributed propulsion architectures. The discussion focuses mainly on the integration effects of these propulsion technologies, with the aim of defining performance interactions with the overall aircraft, in terms of aerodynamic, propulsive, operating and mission performance. Hence, this work aims to analyse these technologies from a general perspective, related to the effects they have on overall aircraft design and performance, primarily considering the fuel consumption as a main metric. Potential advantages but also possible drawbacks or detected showstoppers are proposed and discussed with the aim of providing as broad a framework as possible for the aircraft design development roadmap for these emerging propulsive technologies.

Variability aware ultra-low power design of NOR/NAND gate using non-conventional techniques

Fundamental to digital signal processing applications such as the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), logic gates serve as the foundational components. This paper presents NOR and NAND gates engineered for operation within the ultra-low voltage (LV) and low power domains (LP). Utilizing the floating gate MOSFET (FGMOS) approach, this study adopts a strategy to enhance performance, focusing on reducing design complexity and minimizing power consumption.The proposed FGMOS-NAND/NOR gate design is investigated for important device parameters such as power (pwr), delay (tp), power delay product (PDP), and energy delay product (EDP). At 0.7 V supply, the overall power consumption of the FGMOS NOR and NAND gates is 0.442 nW and 0.323 nW, respectively. Further, carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET) technology is used to implement NOR and NAND gates in this research work. A rigorous comparative analysis was conducted in this research study to assess the performance of non-conventional technologies, specifically field-effect transistors with floating gate (FGMOS) and carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFET), in comparison to the conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Notably, our investigation revealed that when carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNTFET) technology is synergistically employed in conjunction with FGMOS technology, the overall circuit performance is significantly enhanced. Furthermore, in order to estimate the robustness and reliability of the proposed designs, comprehensive analysis pertaining to delay and power-delay product (PDP) variability were meticulously carried out within the scope of this research article.

Effect of high pressure homogenization on in vitro digestibility and colon fermentability of pea protein-rich bread designed for elderly consumers.

Enrichment of staple foods with proteins can be a solution to tackle protein-energy malnutrition in the elderly. For instance, bread can be enriched with pea proteins that are cheap, sustainable and easily digestible. Non-conventional technologies, such as high pressure homogenization (HPH), can improve the digestibility of plant proteins. To characterize the health functionality of pea-enriched bread, a functional bread tailored to elderly consumers was developed by substituting 5% wheat flour with untreated or HPH-treated pea protein concentrate. Protein digestibility and colon fermentability were assessed by mimicking elderly in vitro gastrointestinal and gut microbiota conditions and compared with adult conditions. Bread reformulation with pea proteins affected physical and chemical properties and produced an increase in hardness, which is one of the key features for the acceptability of bread by the elderly. The highest hardness value was observed for pea protein bread, followed by HPH-treated pea protein bread and wheat bread. In vitro protein digestibility and fermentability were affected by reformulation and by physiological digestive conditions, with lower digestibility under elderly conditions compared to adult ones. The obtained results may contribute to a better understanding of food digestibility under different gastrointestinal conditions and its dependence on physiological and formulation factors, and ultimately would help to design age-tailored foods.

Nonconventional Technologies in Lipid Modifications.

Lipid modifications play a crucial role in various fields, including food science, pharmaceuticals, and biofuel production. Traditional methods for lipid modifications involve physical and chemical approaches or enzymatic reactions, which often have limitations in terms of specificity, efficiency, and environmental impact. In recent years, nonconventional technologies have emerged as promising alternatives for lipid modifications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of nonconventional technologies for lipid modifications, including high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, ozonation, and cold plasma technology. The principles,mechanisms, and advantages of these technologies are discussed, along with their applications in lipid modification processes. Additionally, the challenges and future perspectives of nonconventional technologies in lipid modifications are addressed, highlighting the potential and challenges for further advancements in this field. The integration of nonconventional technologies with traditional methods has the potential to revolutionize lipid modifications, enabling the development of novel lipid-based products with enhanced functional properties and improved sustainability profiles.

Hybrid Additive Manufacturing: A Review from a Process Planning Perspective

Currently, in manufacturing industries, hybrid manufacturing (HM) has emerged as a paradigm shift since it provides numerous benefits which include lead time reduction, cost savings and waste minimization. Hybrid additive manufacturing (HAM), being one of the tiers of HM, couples additive technology with traditional or non-conventional technologies resulting in the enhancement of product performance. For efficient part fabrication considering technical, economic, and environmental benefits, process planning is vital. The literature review reveals that due to the unexplored potential of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and lack of knowledge of complexities in HAM, the process planning in HAM is still in its infancy. By providing a systematic literature review of different techniques of process planning, this paper tries to bridge this research gap in HAM. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities in process planning of HAM are also discussed which will help to exploit the future horizons in this field. Ninety-six journal research articles were considered in the systematic literature review (SLR) study which uncovered eight categories of process planning and fifteen challenges and opportunities for future trends. It is concluded that a large research gap in the process planning of HAM needs to be fulfilled to secure time and enhance quality and functionality in the advanced manufacturing era.

A comprehensive discussion on fuel combustion and desulfurization technologies

In the realm of environmental science, it is of the utmost importance to derive clean energy from fossil fuel stock. The primary goal of this review article is to inspect key barriers to the increase use of liquid fuels in the transportation sector. The combustion of transportation fuel releases a more significant number of air pollutants into the atmosphere, with sulfurous and carbonaceous species particularly damaging the environment and causing human health problems. Desulfurization, in this dynamic industry makes a significant contribution by removing sulfur compounds, ensuring the efficient utilization of fuels without the emission of harmful sulfur oxides (SOX emissions). Additionally, to minimize such pollutants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted strict regulations that mandate an ultra-low desulfurization process to comply with the sulfur standard. However, choosing a more appropriate and efficient catalyst has always been a challenge. Moreover, using our critical evaluation, inorganic hybrid molybdenum (Mo) based materials have significant role for both conventional and non-conventional technologies. The factors which can influence the activity of desulfurization catalysts such as temperature, solvent, and concentration are more clearly outlined. With this outline, herein, the current industrial techniques such as hydrodynamic cavity method and coupled desulfurization technologies have been proposed. Moreover, we highlight the technical challenges and scalability while adopting a particular method and address solutions based on contemporary advances. The present review article is expected to provide a clear and systematic understanding on the design and development of active catalysts for various desulfurization technologies. In the concluding section, the prospects and limitations for various Mo based catalysts are thoroughly summarized.

Social and Information Determinants of Modern Non-Classical Methods of Changing Political Regimes (Strategic Dimensions)

The erosion of strategic geopolitical stability in all parts of the world is definitely having a strong negative impact on the social sustainability of our planet. Lack of clear rules of political and economic behavior and the growth of confrontation in international relations lead to a total disorientation of global modern social system. Dominant in this direction are not only current wars and permanent threats of local and global conflict situations, but also the non-conventional (information) technologies, methods and means of changing the political regimes. Despite the terminological diversity in this field, in the last few years there has been a need to fill the „blank space“ in understanding their nature and metrics. The need for a new meaningful definition of the specific political and economic, technological, social and information solutions and implications appeared mostly in social practice. In the present analysis, our attempt is to give a new interpretation to this specific measuring mechanism of the relations between individual states, which has an extraordinary degree of influence on contemporary social, economic and political relations and processes. In our opinion, the appropriate linguistic construction of this “benchmarkˮ is “Saltation diffusion penetrationˮ (SDP). SDP is a “phenomenonˮ that is becoming a dangerous tool for exerting and realizing socio-political and economic tension. Its real manifestations strike the determinants of a social system, its basic (democratic) state principles, and last but not least are a direct threat to its security.

Ultrasound and Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Hexagonally Ordered Ce-Promoted Mesoporous Silica as Ni Supports for Ethanol Steam Reforming

Solvothermal synthesis of mesoporous materials based on amphiphilic molecules as structure-directing agents can be enhanced using non-conventional technologies for stirring and thermal activation. Here, we disclose a green synthesis approach for the preparation of cerium-modified hexagonally ordered silica sieves. Ultrasound micromixing enabled us to obtain well-dispersed Ce in the self-assembled silica network and yielded ordered materials with high cerium content (Ce/Si molar ratio = 0.08). Microwave dielectric heating, applied by an innovative open-end coaxial antenna, was used to reduce the overall hydrothermal synthesis time and to improve the surface area and textural properties. These mesoporous materials were used as a Ni catalyst support (10 wt.% metal loading) for the ethanol steam reforming reaction. The new catalysts featured complete ethanol conversion, high H2 selectivity (65%) and better stability, compared to the same catalyst prepared with magnetic stirring and conventional heating. The Ce-promoted silica sieves offered a suitable support for the controlled growth of nanocarbon that does not result in catalyst deactivation or poisoning after 6 h on stream.

Machining of titanium based alloys using wire electric discharge machining: A review

Titanium alloys are used in aerospace and biomedical field because of high strength, light weight and heat resistance properties because of low thermal conductivity it is difficult to machine conventionally hence, non-conventional technologies are frequently employed for various applications. Electric discharge machining with wire electrode (WEDM) is one of the most rapidly developing non-conventional manufacturing technologies for difficult-to-machine materials; However, complexity of process makes it difficult to have proper idea of dependence of controllable factors on response measure of process. This state of the art review has been conducted to identify recent research on machining of Titanium alloys using WEDM. Article reports various tools and procedures used for correlating experimental results and the effect of process parameters on process performance characteristics. In discussion section probable reason behind trend of input output relation are explained. Model based upon Machine Learning methods can greatly enhance the modelling for such kind of complex machining method.

Pulsed high-pressure processing of barley-based non-dairy alternative milk: β-carotene retention, protein solubility and antioxidant activity

Emerging technologies have been investigated as smart process options for manufacturing plant-based non-dairy alternative milk. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of these non-conventional technologies on the preservation of bioactive and nutritional compounds. In this regard, this study aimed to examine the impact of pulsed high-pressure processing at non-thermal and thermal conditions on the quality parameters of barley-based non-dairy milk enriched with β-carotene. The effects of the pressure (100, 300, and 600 MPa), number of pulses (1, 2, and 3 at 100 and 300 MPa), and temperature (40 and 80 °C) on the soluble protein content, β-carotene retention, total phenolic content, and flavonoid content were assessed. Also, we examined the antioxidant capacity of the samples using in vitro assays. The samples were exposed to pressure for 2 min, but the total treatment time varied from 2.5 to 9 min, according to the pressure and pulse conditions. Higher pressure pulses at 100 MPa favored the homogenization of the system. The solubility of the barley proteins increased by increasing the number of pulses from 1 to 3 at 100 MPa. β-Carotene was thermally degraded up to 20% by the thermal treatments at 80 °C. Additionally, the treatments performed at 80 °C provided samples with lower phenolic and flavonoid contents. On the other hand, the rise in pressure up to 300 MPa promoted the disruption of the cell membranes of barley particles, favoring the extraction of bonded phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Regardless of the number of pulses, samples treated at 300 MPa and 40 °C presented the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. Antioxidant capacity results presented similar behavior as observed for phenolic and flavonoid contents. Therefore, the different combinations of pressure and temperature promoted distinct effects on the protein solubility and bioactive compounds of the barley-based non-dairy milk.

Literature Review on Abrasive Jet Machining - Past and Present

Abrasive jet machining is very simple and low cost technique in which different materials (hard, brittle, etc.) will be machined. This is low budget and very effective conventional machining process. It has many advantages like high machining versatility, less stress on specimen, high machining process flexibility, no heat distortion during the process and low cutting forces on edges as compared to the other non-conventional technologies. This review paper give insight of AJM from beginning to current status as well as latest development in abrasive jet machining process

Enabling URLLC Applications Through Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces: Challenges and Potential

Next-generation communication systems, including the sixth generation (6G) cellular systems, are expected to support a wide range of new ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). These emerging applications strictly demand high data rates and/or massive connectivity besides their strict reliability and latency requirements. To enable such URLLC applications alongside the enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and massive machine-type communication (mMTC), it is imperative to develop spectrally efficient methods, and non-conventional technologies and networking architectures. To this end, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) have recently emerged as a key promising technology to enhance the capabilities of 6G wireless networks. The RIS technology offers a wide range of advantages, including offering a low-cost and energy-efficient solution for controlling the propagation environments. We study the potential of deploying RIS in 6G networks with an emphasis on accommodating the coexistence of URLLC and eMBB traffic. Specifically, we demonstrate through several case studies the potential of integrating RIS into 6G networks with the objective of meeting the requirements of URLLC without compromising the performance of eMBB users. Motivated by this and the fact that the RIS technology has not been fully investigated, we propose a number of relevant research directions and highlight what kind of challenges such directions may entail. We also elaborate on how such challenges, once tackled, may lead to realizing the full potential of integrating RIS into future wireless networks.

Statistical approaches to determine emotional drivers and improve the acceptability of prebiotic whey soursop beverage processed by ultrasound

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the expected emotional profiling and overall liking of soursop flavored prebiotic whey beverages subjected to ultrasound processing. For this purpose, four images of products and their related claims were provided for consumers (n = 453) in an online questionnaire: (a) pasteurized soursop flavored whey beverage (PAST), (b) pasteurized soursop flavored prebiotic whey beverage (PREPAST) with a claim, (c) ultrasound soursop flavored whey beverage (US) with a claim, and (d) ultrasound soursop flavored prebiotic whey beverage (PREUS) with a claim. PAST sample received the lowest purchase intent and overall liking scores, and it was associated with negative emotions. PREPAST, US, and PREUS samples received the highest purchase intent and overall liking scores, and they were associated with some positive emotions. Prebiotic addition and its claim contributed with pleasant, secure, mild, and satisfied emotions to the pasteurized product. In contrast, the US evoked adventurous, joyful, docile, and curious emotions. Active, satisfied, interested, enthusiastic, and docile emotions were the drivers of liking for the samples, while pleasant, interested, secure, satisfied, and curious emotions are recommended in a whey beverage with high overall liking. Overall, both the prebiotic claim and the emerging technology showed great receptivity among participants.Practical ApplicationsConsumer perception is crucial for adopting products processed by nonconventional technologies, being the correct and adequate message on the product label is essential for successful commercialization. This study brings data about this topic, taking as an example a functional dairy food (prebiotic whey soursop flavored beverage) processed by ultrasound.

Dairy foods and novel thermal and non-thermal processing: A bibliometric analysis

Processing dairy products by conventional methods, such as pasteurization, can induce chemical reactions and physicochemical alterations, compromising nutritional and sensory quality. Thus, there is a growing worldwide demand for studies related to emerging processing technologies. This study aims to describe trends related to dairy processing through the application of emerging technologies. In this sense, articles published in this area of research in the last decade were retrieved from scientific databases, and their findings were analyzed through a bibliometric study. Reviews and original articles expressed 40 and 60% of publications, respectively, and novel thermal and non-thermal processing studies showed multidisciplinary approaches. Ohmic heating and microwave heating were the most discussed novel thermal technologies in the processing of dairy products. Among non-thermal technologies, there was a more significant trend in studies on ultrasound, high hydrostatic pressure, and pulsed electric fields. The impact of the application of novel food technologies concerning quality, safety, and energy efficiency compared to traditional methods and the influence of critical operating conditions for process control were the most studied areas. Furthermore, the impact of novel non-thermal food processing technologies from the consumer's point of view is emerging. These results can be used for future innovations by the dairy industry. Industrial relevanceDairy foods are important food matrices considering a nutritional and functional point of view and recommended in a regular diet for consumers of all ages. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was performed considering dairy foods and novel thermal and non-thermal processing. A higher number of publications considering non-thermal technologies was reported, highlighting the need for food processing without applying high temperatures. High hydrostatic pressure, ultrasonication, and pulsed electric fields were the most discussed non-thermal technologies. At the same time, ohmic heating and microwave heating were the most reported thermal technologies. Furthermore, the most used applications, critical process parameters, and food properties to be evaluated are highlighted and discussed. The results could be used as a basis for the dairy processors to implement non-conventional technologies as an option at their production lines, as they demonstrate the most relevant process parameters and food characteristics to be evaluated, helping them to choose the parameters with higher impact and firstly consider them. Furthermore, consumers studies are important and should evaluate consumer perception about the products and the perceived benefits and risks of the novel technologies.

Process intensification strategies for lignin valorization

Nowadays, the increasing concern about the declining fossil fuel reserves and the environmental impact derived from their use has put considerable interest in lignocellulose exploitation as a renewable source of biofuels and biomaterials, according to the biorefinery concept.Several processes and technologies have been extensively studied in order to optimize biomass treatments aiming to enhance the recovery of its main products: cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. Lignin is, in fact, considered a valid substitute to petroleum as a source of aromatics, thanks to its abundance in nature. However, its complex and highly resistant structure limits its further applications, therefore, lignin upgrading is considered extremely challenging: various processes have been developed in recent years, but their feasibility at industrial scale still represents a bottleneck.Recently, process intensification has gained considerable attention in the design of sustainable procedures for lignin valorization. In particular, non-conventional technologies such as Ball milling, Ultrasounds (US) and Microwaves (MW) have recently shown promising results in biomass exploitation, thanks to their ability in generating specific high-energy microenvironments which could enhance process efficiency: mechanochemical and US activation have been mostly applied to biomass pre-treatment, in order to separate its components and enhance lignin extraction yield, while MW have been exploited as a means for lignin depolymerization, achieving higher yields of aromatics in milder reaction conditions. However further efforts should be done to improve profitability through new processes, aiming to reduce the cost associated to bio-derived products.In the present review, recent approaches to lignin valorization are discussed, focusing on new alternative methodologies for process intensification, besides their challenges and feasibility at industrial scale.

Benefits of thermosonication in orange juice whey drink processing

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of short-time heat-treatment (HTST, 90 °C/20 s) and thermosonication (TS) at temperatures of 70, 80, and 90 °C (TS70, TS80, and TS90) on the quality parameters of orange juice whey drinks. Formulations with different orange juice/reconstituted whey proportions were subjected to sensory analysis, and the ideal formulation was established through survival analysis (31% whey, 69% orange juice). This formulation showed approval of 75% of the consumers, which is considered satisfactory. It was processed by HTST or TS and evaluated for the microbial counts, rheological parameters, color, physical properties (differential scanning calorimetry and time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance), volatile compounds, and bioactive compounds. TS-treated orange juice whey drinks showed a higher microbial inactivation (>1 log cfu/mL increase) and microbial stability during 21 days of storage (2.9, 4, and 1.1 log cfu/mL lower counts for aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and lactic acid bacteria, respectively). Furthermore, it showed higher antioxidant (>15% increase), anti-hypertensive (>24% increase), and anti-diabetic (>30% increase) activities and lowered ascorbic acid degradation (>8%). Finally, it showed lower viscosity (decreases in consistency index >46.9 Pa.sn) and an improved volatile profile (presence of maltol and butanoic acid, ethyl ester). The effects were more pronounced at 80 and 90 °C. TS is a promising technology for treating orange juice whey drinks. Industrial relevanceThermosonication can be used in the processing of orange juice whey drinks, resulting in better microbial inactivation, increased shelf-life, and improved functional properties and physical parameters compared to conventional processing. In this sense, this research's findings contribute to the utilization of non-conventional technologies by the dairy industry.

Combination of methods as alternative to maintain the physical-chemical properties and microbiological content of hass avocado pulp during storage

Avocado is a fruit with great nutritional value; however, it is highly perishable, reaching in Colombia around 40% postharvest losses. The evaluation of using non-conventional technologies to process fruits and vegetables, like ultraviolet light irradiation, use of antioxidant solutions, and packaging in modified atmospheres constitute an alternative to lengthen the shelf life of perishable foods.This research evaluated irradiation at three times, reaching up different irradiation levels, all of them below the maximum permitted for fruits and vegetables. The pH and total soluble solids content of the samples showed variations due to storage at 4 °C, without being affected by the application of ultraviolet light. The chromatic characteristics showed important variations due to maturation and senescence processes in fruits. Application of the highest dose evaluated (20.32 kJ * m−2) in combination with antioxidant solution had the best results on texture and color. Likewise, greater reduction was observed in the fruit's initial microbial load and inhibition of its development during the storage time. Samples with UV treatment and packaged in modified atmosphere had the best behavior in chromatic parameters (L*, a*, b*) and soluble solid content (°Brix). Using combined mechanisms contributes to extending the shelf life of perishable foods, representing an alternative to generate added value to the crop and diminish losses in its postharvest.

Electroactive Polymers Obtained by Conventional and Non-Conventional Technologies.

Electroactive polymers (EAPs), materials that present size/shape alteration in response to an electrical stimulus, are currently being explored regarding advanced smart devices, namely robotics, valves, soft actuators, artificial muscles, and electromechanical sensors. They are generally prepared through conventional techniques (e.g., solvent casting and free-radical polymerization). However, non-conventional processes such as those included in additive manufacturing (AM) are emerging as a novel approach to tune and enhance the electromechanical properties of EAPs to expand the scope of areas for this class of electro-responsive material. This review aims to summarize the published work (from the last five years) in developing EAPs either by conventional or non-conventional polymer processing approaches. The technology behind each processing technique is discussed as well as the main mechanism behind the electromechanical response. The most common polymer-based materials used in the design of current EAPs are reviewed. Therefore, the main conclusions and future trends regarding EAPs obtained by conventional and non-conventional technologies are also given.