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[[file:EAP-example2.png|thumb|(a) Cartoon drawing of an EAP gripping device.<br/>(b) A voltage is applied and the EAP fingers deform in order to release the ball.<br/>(c) When the voltage is removed, the EAP fingers return to their original shape and grip the ball]]

An '''electroactive polymer''' ('''EAP''') is a [[polymer]] that exhibits a change in size or shape when stimulated by an [[electric field]]. The most common applications of this type of material are in [[actuator]]s<ref name=ArtificialMuscles>{{cite web |url= https://trs.jpl.nasa.gov/bitstream/handle/2014/37602/05-1898.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title=Bar-Cohen, Yoseph: "Artificial Muscles using Electroactive Polymers (EAP): Capabilities, Challenges and Potential}}</ref> and [[sensor]]s.<ref name=EAPsensing>{{cite journal |author1=Wang, T. |author2=Farajollahi, M. |author3=Choi, Y. S. |author4=Lin, I. T. |author5=Marshall, J. E. |author6=Thompson, N. M. |author7=Kar-Narayan, S. |author8=Madden, J. D. W. |author9= Smoukov, S. K. |title= Electroactive polymers for sensing |journal=Interface Focus |year=2016 |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=1–19 |doi= 10.1098/rsfs.2016.0026 |pmid=27499846 |pmc= 4918837}}</ref><ref>Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) Set, Editor: Mohsen Shahinpoor, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge 2016, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/ebook/978-1-78262-720-3 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801043635/https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/ebook/978-1-78262-720-3 |date=2020-08-01 }}</ref> A typical characteristic property of an EAP is that they will undergo a large amount of deformation while sustaining large [[force]]s.

The majority of historic actuators are made of [[ceramic]] [[piezoelectric]] materials. While these materials are able to withstand large forces, they commonly will only deform a fraction of a percent. In the late 1990s, it has been demonstrated that some EAPs can exhibit up to a 380% [[strain (mechanics)|strain]], which is much more than any ceramic actuator.<ref name=ArtificialMuscles/> One of the most common applications for EAPs is in the field of [[robotics]] in the development of artificial muscles; thus, an electroactive polymer is often referred to as an [[artificial muscle]].

==History==
The field of EAPs emerged back in 1880, when [[Wilhelm Röntgen]] designed an experiment in which he tested the effect of an electrostatic field on the mechanical properties of a stripe of natural rubber.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1= Keplinger |first1=Christoph |last2= Kaltenbrunner |first2=Martin |last3=Arnold |first3=Nikita |last4=Bauer |first4= Siegfried |date= 2010-03-09 |title= Röntgen's electrode-free elastomer actuators without electromechanical pull-in instability |journal= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=107 |issue=10 |pages=4505–4510 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.0913461107 |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=2825178 |pmid= 20173097|bibcode=2010PNAS..107.4505K |doi-access=free }}</ref> The rubber stripe was fixed at one end and was attached to a [[mass]] at the other. Electric charges were then sprayed onto the rubber, and it was observed that the length changed. It was in 1925 that the first [[piezoelectric]] polymer was discovered ([[Electret]]). Electret was formed by combining [[carnauba wax]], [[rosin]] and [[beeswax]], and then cooling the solution while it is subject to an applied [[Direct Current|DC]] [[electrical bias]]. The mixture would then solidify into a polymeric material that exhibited a [[piezoelectric effect]].

Polymers that respond to environmental conditions, other than an applied [[electric current]], have also been a large part of this area of study. In 1949 Katchalsky ''et al.'' demonstrated that when [[collagen]] filaments are dipped in [[acid]] or [[alkali]] solutions, they would respond with a change in [[volume]].<ref name="ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia">{{cite web |url= http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-p02-elact-pol.htm |title=Electrochemistry Encyclopedia: Electroactive Polymers (EAP) |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212015419/http://electrochem.cwru.edu/encycl/art-p02-elact-pol.htm |archive-date= 2012-12-12}}</ref> The collagen filaments were found to expand in an [[acidic]] solution and contract in an [[alkali]] solution. Although other stimuli (such as [[pH]]) have been investigated, due to its ease and practicality most research has been devoted to developing polymers that respond to electrical stimuli in order to mimic biological systems.

The next major breakthrough in EAPs took place in the late 1960s. In 1969 Kawai demonstrated that [[polyvinylidene fluoride]] (PVDF) exhibits a large piezoelectric effect.<ref name=ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia /> This sparked research interest in developing other polymers systems that would show a similar effect. In 1977 the first electrically [[conducting polymer]]s were discovered by [[Hideki Shirakawa]] ''et al.''<ref name=EAPHistory>{{cite journal |author= Finkenstadt, Victoria L. |title=Natural polysaccharides as electroactive polymers |journal=Appl Microbiol Biotechnol |year=2005 |volume=67 |pmid= 15724215 |issue=6 |pages= 735–745 |doi= 10.1007/s00253-005-1931-4|s2cid=22935320 }}</ref> Shirakawa, along with [[Alan MacDiarmid]] and [[Alan Heeger]], demonstrated that [[polyacetylene]] was electrically conductive, and that by doping it with [[iodine]] vapor, they could enhance its [[electrical conductivity|conductivity]] by 8 orders of magnitude. Thus the [[electrical conductance|conductance]] was close to that of a metal. By the late 1980s a number of other polymers had been shown to exhibit a [[piezoelectric effect]] or were demonstrated to be conductive.

In the early 1990s, [[ionic polymer-metal composite]]s (IPMCs) were developed and shown to exhibit electroactive properties far superior to previous EAPs. The major advantage of IPMCs was that they were able to show activation (deformation) at [[voltage]]s as low as 1 or 2 [[volt]]s.<ref name=ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia /> This is orders of magnitude less than any previous EAP. Not only was the [[activation energy]] for these materials much lower, but they could also undergo much larger deformations. IPMCs were shown to exhibit anywhere up to 380% strain, orders of magnitude larger than previously developed EAPs.<ref name=ArtificialMuscles />

In 1999, [[Yoseph Bar-Cohen]] proposed the [[Armwrestling Match of EAP Robotic Arm Against Human]] Challenge.<ref name=ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia /> This was a challenge in which research groups around the world competed to design a robotic arm consisting of EAP muscles that could defeat a human in an [[arm wrestling]] match. The first challenge was held at the Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices Conference in 2005.<ref name=ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia /> Another major milestone of the field is that the first commercially developed device including EAPs as an artificial muscle was produced in 2002 by Eamex in Japan.<ref name=ArtificialMuscles /> This device was a fish that was able to swim on its own, moving its tail using an EAP muscle. But the progress in practical development has not been satisfactory.<ref name=Mistakes>{{cite journal |author=Eftekhari, Ali  |title=Comment on "A Linear Actuation of Polymeric Nanofibrous Bundle for Artificial Muscles" |journal= Chemistry of Materials |year=2010 |volume=22 |issue=8 |pages=2689–2690 |doi= 10.1021/cm903343t}}</ref>

[[DARPA]]-funded research in the 1990s at [[SRI International]] and led by Ron Pelrine developed an electroactive polymer using silicone and acrylic polymers; the technology was spun off into the company [[Artificial Muscle (company)|Artificial Muscle]] in 2003, with industrial production beginning in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avsusergroups.org/tfug_pdfs/2008_2feldman.pdf|title=Electroactive Polymer Artificial Muscle - A Polymer Based Generator?|first=Randy|last=Feldman|work=Thin Film Users Group|publisher=Northern California Chapter of the American Vacuum Society|date=2008-02-20|access-date=2012-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206183425/http://www.avsusergroups.org/tfug_pdfs/2008_2feldman.pdf|archive-date=2016-12-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, Artificial Muscle became a subsidiary of [[Bayer MaterialScience]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sri.com/engage/products-solutions/epam|title=Electroactive Polymer "Artificial Muscle"|publisher=[[SRI International]]|access-date=2012-07-16}}</ref>

==Types==
EAP can have several configurations, but are generally divided in two principal classes: Dielectric and Ionic.

===Dielectric===
[[Dielectric elastomers|Dielectric EAPs]] are materials in which actuation is caused by [[electrostatic]] forces between two electrodes which squeeze the polymer. Dielectric elastomers are capable of very high strains and are fundamentally a capacitor that changes its capacitance when a voltage is applied by allowing the polymer to compress in thickness and expand in area due to the electric field. This type of EAP typically requires a large actuation voltage to produce high electric fields (hundreds to thousands of [[volt]]s), but very low [[electrical]] [[power (physics)|power]] consumption. Dielectric EAPs require no power to keep the actuator at a given position. Examples are electrostrictive polymers and dielectric elastomers.

====Ferroelectric polymers====
[[Ferroelectric polymers]] are a group of crystalline polar polymers that are also [[ferroelectric]], meaning that they maintain a permanent [[electric polarization]] that can be reversed, or switched, in an external [[electric field]].<ref>"Ferroelectric Properties of Vinylidene Fluoride Copolymers," by T. Furukawa, in ''Phase Transitions'', Vol. '''18''', pp. 143-211 (1989).</ref><ref name ="Polymers">{{cite book |last1= Nalwa |first1= H. |title= Ferroelectric Polymers |edition= First |year= 1995 |publisher= Marcel Dekker, INC. |location= New York |isbn= 978-0-8247-9468-2}}</ref> Ferroelectric polymers, such as [[polyvinylidene fluoride]] (PVDF), are used in acoustic transducers and electromechanical actuators because of their inherent [[piezoelectric]] response, and as heat sensors because of their inherent [[pyroelectric]] response.<ref name=lovinger>{{cite journal | doi=10.1126/science.220.4602.1115 | author=Lovinger, A. J. | s2cid=45870679 | title=Ferroelectric polymers. | journal=Science | year=1983 | volume=220 | issue=4602 | pages=1115–1121 | pmid=17818472| bibcode=1983Sci...220.1115L }}</ref>
[[image:Polyvinylidene fluoride.png|right|thumb|Figure 1: Structure of Poly(vinylidene fluoride)]]

====Electrostrictive graft polymers====
[[image:Electrostrictive Graft PolymerII.PNG|thumb|300px|left|Figure 2: Cartoon of an electrostrictive graft polymer.]]

Electrostrictive graft polymers consist of flexible backbone chains with branching side chains. The side chains on neighboring backbone polymers cross link and form crystal units. The backbone and side chain crystal units can then form polarized monomers, which contain atoms with partial charges and generate dipole moments, shown in Figure 2.<ref name="Electrostrictive Graft">{{cite journal|last=Wang|first=Youqi|author2=Changjie Sun |author3=Eric Zhou |author4=Ji Su |year=2004|title=Deformation Mechanisms of Electrostrictive Graft Elastomers|journal=Smart Materials and Structures|publisher=Institute of Physics Publishing|volume=13|issue=6|pages=1407–1413|issn=0964-1726 |doi=10.1088/0964-1726/13/6/011|bibcode=2004SMaS...13.1407W|s2cid=250859649 }}</ref> When an electrical field is applied, a force is applied to each partial charge and causes rotation of the whole polymer unit. This rotation causes electrostrictive strain and deformation of the polymer.

====Liquid crystalline polymers====
Main-chain liquid crystalline polymers have [[mesogen]]ic groups linked to each other by a flexible spacer. The mesogens within a backbone form the mesophase structure causing the polymer itself to adopt a conformation compatible with the structure of the mesophase. The direct coupling of the liquid crystalline order with the polymer conformation has given main-chain liquid crystalline elastomers a large amount of interest.<ref name="LCpol">{{cite journal|last=Ishige|first=Ryohei|author2=Masatoshi Tokita |author3=Yu Naito |author4=Chun Ying Zhang |author5=Junji Watanabe |date=January 22, 2008|title=Unusual Formation of Smectic A Structure in Cross-Linked Monodomain Elastomer of Main-Chain LC Polyester with 3-Methylpentane Spacer|journal=Macromolecules|publisher=American Chemical Society|volume=41|issue=7|pages=2671–2676|doi=10.1021/ma702686c|bibcode=2008MaMol..41.2671I}}</ref> The synthesis of highly oriented elastomers leads to have a large strain thermal actuation along the polymer chain direction with temperature variation resulting in unique mechanical properties and potential applications as mechanical actuators.

===Ionic===
[[Ion]]ic EAPs are polymers in which actuation is caused by the displacement of ions inside the polymer. Only a few volts are 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. Examples of ionic EAPS are [[conductive polymer]]s, [[ionic polymer-metal composite]]s (IPMCs), and responsive gels. Yet another example is a Bucky gel actuator, which is a polymer-supported layer of [[polyelectrolyte]] material consisting of an [[ionic liquid]] sandwiched between two [[electrode]] layers consisting of a [[gel]] of ionic liquid containing single-wall [[carbon nanotube]]s.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1557/mrs2008.47|author1=Qu, L. |author2=Peng, Q. |author3=Dai, L. |author4=Spinks, G. M. |author5=Wallace, G. G. |author6=Baughman, R. H. |title=Carbon Nanotube Electroactive Polymer Materials: Opportunities and Challenges|journal=MRS Bulletin|year=2008|volume=33|issue=3|pages=215–224|s2cid=138644259 |url=https://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6020&context=engpapers }}{{ ISSN|0883-7694}}</ref> The name comes from the similarity of the gel to the paper that can be made by filtering carbon nanotubes, the so-called [[buckypaper]].<ref>Fukushima, Takanori; Kinji Asaka, Atsuko Kosaka, Takuzo Aida (2005). [https://archive.today/20120919143836/http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/110429473/ABSTRACT "Fully Plastic Actuator through Layer-by-Layer Casting with Ionic-Liquid-Based Bucky Gel".] ''Angewandte Chemie International'', Edition Volume 44, Issue 16 2410.</ref>

====Electrorheological fluid====
{{Main|Electrorheological Fluid}}

[[Image:EAP-composite.png|300px|thumb|center| Figure 3: The cations in the ionic polymer-metal composite are randomly oriented in the absence of an electric field. Once a field is applied the cations gather to the side of the polymer in contact with the anode causing the polymer to bend.]]

Electrorheological fluids change the viscosity of a solution with the application of an electric field. The fluid is a suspension of polymers in a low dielectric-constant liquid.<ref name="Polymer Rheology">{{cite book|last=Glass|first=J. Edward|author2=Schulz, Donald N. |author3=Zukosi, C.F |title=Polymers as Rheology Modifiers|publisher=American Chemical Society|date=May 13, 1991|series=ACS Symposium Series|volume=462|pages=2–17|chapter=1|isbn=9780841220096}}</ref> With the application of a large electric field the viscosity of the suspension increases. Potential applications of these fluids include shock absorbers, engine mounts and acoustic dampers.<ref name="Polymer Rheology" />

====Ionic polymer-metal composite====
{{Main|Ionic polymer-metal composite}}

Ionic polymer-metal composites consist of a thin ionomeric membrane with noble metal electrodes plated on its surface. It also has cations to balance the charge of the anions fixed to the polymer backbone.<ref name="IPM composites">{{cite book|last=Nemat-Nasser|first=S.|author2=Thomas, C.|title=Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Actuators as Artificial Muscles-Reality, Potential and Challenges|editor=Yoseph Bar-Cohen|publisher=SPIE Press|year=2001|pages=139–191|chapter=6}}</ref> They are very active [[actuator]]s that show very high deformation at low applied voltage and show low impedance. Ionic polymer-metal composites work through electrostatic attraction between the cationic counter ions and the cathode of the applied electric field, a schematic representation is shown in Figure 3. These types of polymers show the greatest promise for bio-mimetic uses as collagen fibers are essentially composed of natural charged ionic polymers.<ref name="IPMC">{{cite web|url=http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/papers/spie98/SPIE98-mo.PDF|title=Ionic Polymer-Metal Composties (IPMC) As Biomimetic Sensors and Actuators|last=Shahinpoor|first=M.|author2=Y. Bar-Cohen|author3=T. Xue|author4=J. O. Simpson|author5=J. Smith|date=5 March 1996|publisher=SPIE|pages=17|access-date=6 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528002145/http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/papers/spie98/SPIE98-mo.PDF|archive-date=28 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nafion and Flemion are commonly used ionic polymer metal composites.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1557/mrs2008.44|author1=Park, I. S. |author2=Jung, K. |author3=Kim, D. |author4=Kim, S. M. |author5=Kim, K. J. |title=Physical Principles of Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites as Electroactive Actuators and Sensors|journal=MRS Bulletin|year=2008|volume=33|issue=3|pages=190–195|s2cid=135613424 }}{{ ISSN|0883-7694}}</ref>

====Stimuli-responsive gels====
Stimuli-responsive gels (hydrogels, when the swelling agent is an aqueous solution) are a special kind of swellable polymer networks with volume phase transition behaviour. These materials change reversibly their volume, optical, mechanical and other properties by very small alterations of certain physical (e.g. electric field, light, temperature) or chemical (concentrations) stimuli.<ref>Schneider, Hans-Jörg (ed.), 2015. [https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/ebook/978-1-78262-242-0 ''Chemoresponsive Materials''.] [[Royal Society of Chemistry]], Cambridge.</ref> The volume change of these materials occurs by swelling/shrinking and is diffusion-based. Gels provide the biggest change in volume of solid-state materials.<ref name ="Hydrogel Sensors and Actuators">{{cite book |last1= Gerlach |first1= G. |last2= Arndt |first2= K.-F. |title= Hydrogel Sensors and Actuators |edition= First |year= 2009 |publisher= Springer |location= Berlin |isbn= 978-3-540-75644-6}}</ref> Combined with an excellent compatibility with micro-fabrication technologies, especially stimuli-responsive hydrogels are of strong increasing interest for microsystems with sensors and actuators. Current fields of research and application are chemical sensor systems, microfluidics and multimodal imaging systems.

==Comparison of dielectric and ionic EAPs==
Dielectric polymers are able to hold their induced displacement while activated under a DC voltage.<ref name="Editorial">{{cite journal |last=Bar-Cohen |first=Yoseph |author2= Kwang J. Kim |author3=Hyouk Ryeol Choi |author4=John D. W. Madden |s2cid=61500961 |year=2007 |title= Electroactive Polymer Materials |journal= Smart Materials and Structures |publisher= Institute of Physics Publishing |volume=16 |issue=2 |doi= 10.1088/0964-1726/16/2/E01|doi-access=free }}</ref> This allows dielectric polymers to be considered for robotic applications. These types of materials also have high mechanical energy density and can be operated in air without a major decrease in performance. However, dielectric polymers require very high activation fields (>10&nbsp;V/µm) that are close to the breakdown level.

The activation of ionic polymers, on the other hand, requires only 1-2&nbsp;volts. They however need to maintain wetness, though some polymers have been developed as self-contained encapsulated activators which allows their use in dry environments.<ref name=IPMC /> Ionic polymers also have a low electromechanical coupling. They are however ideal for bio-mimetic devices.

==Characterization==
While there are many different ways electroactive polymers can be characterized, only three will be addressed here: stress–strain curve, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and dielectric thermal analysis.

===Stress–strain curve===
{{Main|Stress–strain curve}}
[[image:LCpolymersII.png|thumb|250px|right|Figure 4: The unstressed polymer spontaneously forms a folded structure, upon application of a stress the polymer regains its original length.]]
Stress strain curves provide information about the polymer's mechanical properties such as the brittleness, elasticity and yield strength of the polymer. This is done by providing a force to the polymer at a uniform rate and measuring the deformation that results.<ref name="Textbook">{{cite book|last=Cowie|first=J. M. G.|author2=Valerai Arrighi|title=Polymers: Chemistry and Physics of Modern Material|publisher=CRC Press|location=Florida|year=2008|edition=Third|pages=363–373|chapter=13|isbn=978-0-8493-9813-1}}</ref> An example of this deformation is shown in Figure 4. This technique is useful for determining the type of material (brittle, tough, etc.), but it is a destructive technique as the stress is increased until the polymer fractures.

===Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA)===
{{Main|Dynamic mechanical analysis}}

Both dynamic mechanical analysis is a non destructive technique that is useful in understanding the mechanism of deformation at a molecular level. In DMTA a sinusoidal stress is applied to the polymer, and based on the polymer's deformation the [[elastic modulus]] and damping characteristics are obtained (assuming the polymer is a [[damped harmonic oscillator]]).<ref name=Textbook /> Elastic materials take the mechanical energy of the stress and convert it into potential energy which can later be recovered. An ideal spring will use all the potential energy to regain its original shape (no damping), while a liquid will use all the potential energy to flow, never returning to its original position or shape (high damping). A viscoeleastic polymer will exhibit a combination of both types of behavior.<ref name=Textbook />

===Dielectric thermal analysis (DETA)===
{{Main|Dielectric thermal analysis}}

DETA is similar to DMTA, but instead of an alternating mechanical force an alternating electric field is applied. The applied field can lead to polarization of the sample, and if the polymer contains groups that have permanent dipoles (as in Figure 2), they will align with the electrical field.<ref name= Textbook /> The [[permittivity]] can be measured from the change in amplitude and resolved into dielectric storage and loss components. The [[electric displacement field]] can also be measured by following the current.<ref name=Textbook /> Once the field is removed, the dipoles will relax back into a random orientation.

==Applications==
[[Image:Artificial Muscle.png|300px|thumb|Figure 5: Cartoon drawing of an arm controlled by EAPs. When a voltage is applied (blue muscles) the polymer expands. When the voltage is removed (red muscles) the polymer returns to its original state.]]
EAP materials can be easily manufactured into various shapes due to the ease in processing many polymeric materials, making them very versatile materials. One potential application for EAPs is that they can potentially be integrated into [[microelectromechanical systems]] (MEMS) to produce smart actuators.

===Artificial muscles===
As the most prospective practical research direction, EAPs have been used in [[artificial muscles]].<ref name=":0">{{cite book|last=Kim|first= K.J.|author2=Tadokoro, S.|title=Electroactive Polymers for Robotic Applications, Artificial Muscles and Sensors|publisher=Springer|location=London|year=2007|isbn=978-1-84628-371-0}}</ref> Their ability to emulate the operation of biological muscles with high [[fracture toughness]], large actuation strain and inherent vibration damping draw the attention of scientists in this field.<ref name="ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia"/> EAPs have even successfully been used to make a type of hand.<ref name=":0" />

===Tactile displays===
In recent years, "electro active polymers for refreshable [[Braille]] displays"<ref name="Electroactive polymers for refreshable Braille displays">{{cite web|url=http://spie.org/x37076.xml?ArticleID=x37076|title=Electroactive polymers for refreshable Braille displays|last=Bar-Cohen|first=Yoseph|date=11 September 2009|publisher=SPIE}}</ref> has emerged to aid the visually impaired in fast reading and computer assisted communication. This concept is based on using an EAP actuator configured in an array form. Rows of [[electrode]]s on one side of an EAP film and columns on the other activate individual elements in the array. Each element is mounted with a Braille dot and is lowered by applying a voltage across the thickness of the selected element, causing local thickness reduction. Under computer control, dots would be activated to create tactile patterns of highs and lows representing the information to be read.

[[File:Artificial skin.jpg|thumb|Figure 6: High resolution tactile display consisting of 4,320 (60x72) actuator pixels based on stimuli-responsive hydrogels. The integration density of the device is 297 components per cm². This display gives visual (monochromic) and physical (contours, relief, textures, softness) impressions of a virtual surface.<ref name="High-resolution tactile display operated by an integrated 'Smart Hydrogel' actuator array">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/7642/1/High-resolution-tactile-display-operated-by-an-integrated-Smart-Hydrogel/10.1117/12.848811.short?SSO=1|chapter=High-resolution tactile display operated by an integrated 'Smart Hydrogel' actuator array|doi=10.1117/12.848811 |title=Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010 |year=2010 |editor-last1=Bar-Cohen |editor-first1=Yoseph |last1=Paschew |first1=Georgi |last2=Richter |first2=Andreas |volume=7642 |page=764234 |s2cid=121262243 }}</ref>]]Visual and tactile impressions of a virtual surface are displayed by a high resolution tactile display, a so-called "artificial skin" (Fig. 6).<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1002/adma.200802737|author1=Richter, A. |author2=Paschew, G. |s2cid=137163635 |title=Optoelectrothermic Control of Highly Integrated Polymer-Based MEMS Applied in an Artificial Skin|journal=Advanced Materials|year=2009|volume=21|issue=9|pages=979–983|bibcode=2009AdM....21..979R }}</ref> These monolithic devices consist of an array of thousands of multimodal modulators (actuator pixels) based on stimuli-responsive hydrogels. Each modulator is able to change individually their transmission, height and softness. Besides their possible use as graphic displays for visually impaired such displays are interesting as free programmable keys of touchpads and consoles.

===Microfluidics===
EAP materials have huge potential for microfluidics e.g. as [[drug delivery]] systems, [[microfluidic device]]s and [[lab-on-a-chip]]. A first microfluidic platform technology reported in literature is based on stimuli-responsive gels. To avoid the electrolysis of water hydrogel-based microfluidic devices are mainly based on temperature-responsive polymers with lower critical solution temperature (LCST) characteristics, which are controlled by an electrothermic interface. Two types of micropumps are known, a diffusion micropump and a displacement micropump.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1039/B810256B |pmid=19190798 |author1=Richter, A. |author2=Klatt, S. |author3=Paschew, G. |author4=Klenke, C. |s2cid=28050680 |title=Micropumps operated by swelling and shrinking of temperature-sensitive hydrogels|journal=Lab on a Chip|year=2009|volume=9|issue=4 | pages=613–618}}</ref> Microvalves based on stimuli-responsive hydrogels show some advantageous properties such as particle tolerance, no leakage and outstanding pressure resistance.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1109/JMEMS.2003.817898|author1=Richter, A. |author2=Kuckling, D. |author3=Howitz, S. |author4=Gehring, T |author5=Arndt, K.-F. |title=Electronically controllable microvalves based on smart hydrogels: magnitudes and potential applications|journal=Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems|year=2003|volume=12|issue=5|pages=748–753}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1021/ac026455j|author= Yu, C., Mutlu, S., Selvaganapathy, P. Mastrangelo, C. H., Svec, F., Fréchet, J. M. J. |s2cid= 23726246 |title= Flow control valves for analytical microfluidic chips without mechanical parts based on thermally responsive monolithic polymers|journal= Analytical Chemistry|year=2003|volume=75|issue=8|pages=1958–1961|pmid= 12713057 }}</ref><ref name="Hydrogel Micro Valve">{{cite web|url=http://www.gesim.de/en/microfluidics/micro-valves/|title=Hydrogel Micro Valves|year=2009|publisher=GeSiM mbH|access-date=2013-09-13|archive-date=2015-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009205250/http://www.gesim.de/en/microfluidics/micro-valves|url-status=dead}}</ref> Besides these microfluidic standard components the hydrogel platform provides also chemical sensors<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.3390/s8010561|pmid=27879722 |author1=Richter, A. |author2=Paschew, G. |author3=Klatt, S. |author4=Lienig, J. |author5=Arndt, K.-F. |author6=Adler, H.-J. |title=Review on Hydrogel-based pH Sensors and Microsensors|journal= Sensors|year=2008|volume=8|issue=1|pages=561–581|pmc=3668326|bibcode=2008Senso...8..561R |doi-access=free }}</ref> and a novel class of microfluidic components, the chemical transistors (also referred as chemostat valves).<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1002/adma.200601989|author1=Richter, A. |author2=Türke, A. |author3=Pich, A. |s2cid=95750078 |title=Controlled Double-Sensitivity of Microgels Applied to Electronically Adjustable Chemostats|journal= Advanced Materials|year=2007|volume=19|issue=8|pages=1109–1112|bibcode=2007AdM....19.1109R }}</ref> These devices regulate a liquid flow if a threshold concentration of certain chemical is reached. Chemical transistors form the basis of microchemomechanical fluidic integrated circuits. "Chemical ICs" process exclusively chemical information, are energy-self-powered, operate automatically and are able for large-scale integration.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1039/C2LC40617A|pmid= 23038405|author= Greiner, R., Allerdißen, M., Voigt, A., Richter A.|title=Fluidic microchemomechanical integrated circuits processing chemical information|journal=Lab on a Chip|year=2012|volume=12|issue=23|pages=5034–5044|url=http://tud.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A27798/attachment/ATT-0/}}</ref>

Another microfluidic platform is based on [[ionomeric]] materials. Pumps made from that material could offer low voltage ([[battery (electricity)|battery]]) operation, extremely low noise signature, high system efficiency, and highly accurate control of flow rate.<ref name="Electroactive Polymer Pumps">{{cite web|url=http://www.discover-technologies.com/applications.html|title=Electroactive Polymer Pumps|date=7 June 2009|publisher=Discover technologies Inc|access-date=9 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126093602/http://www.discover-technologies.com/applications.html|archive-date=26 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Another technology that can benefit from the unique properties of EAP actuators is optical membranes. Due to their low modulus, the mechanical impedance of the actuators, they are well-matched to common optical [[membrane (selective barrier)|membrane]] materials. Also, a single EAP actuator is capable of generating displacements that range from micrometers to centimeters. For this reason, these materials can be used for static shape correction and jitter suppression. These actuators could also be used to correct for [[optical aberration]]s due to atmospheric interference.<ref name="Adaptive Membrane Optics">{{cite web|url=http://www.discover-technologies.com/applications.html|title=Adaptive Membrane Optics|date=7 June 2009|publisher=Discover technologies Inc|access-date=9 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126093602/http://www.discover-technologies.com/applications.html|archive-date=26 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since these materials exhibit excellent electroactive character, EAP materials show potential in [[biomimetic]]-robot research, stress sensors and [[acoustics]] field, which will make EAPs become a more attractive study topic in the near future. They have been used for various actuators such as face muscles and arm muscles in humanoid robots.<ref>http://eap.jpl.nasa.gov/ NASA WorldWide Electroactive Polymer Actuators Webhub</ref>

==Future directions==
The field of EAPs is far from mature, which leaves several issues that still need to be worked on.<ref name="ElectrochemistryEncyclopedia"/> The performance and long-term stability of the EAP should be improved by designing a water [[semipermeable membrane|impermeable]] surface. This will prevent the [[evaporation]] of water contained in the EAP, and also reduce the potential loss of the positive counter ions when the EAP is operating submerged in an [[aqueous]] environment. Improved surface conductivity should be explored using methods to produce a defect-free conductive surface. This could possibly be done using metal vapor deposition or other doping methods. It may also be possible to utilize conductive polymers to form a thick conductive layer. Heat resistant EAP would be desirable to allow operation at higher voltages without damaging the internal structure of the EAP due to the generation of heat in the EAP composite. Development of EAPs in different configurations (e.g., fibers and fiber bundles), would also be beneficial, in order to increase the range of possible modes of motion.

==See also==
* [[Pneumatic artificial muscles]]
* [[Artificial muscles]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819452971/ Electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators as artificial muscles – reality, potential and challenges], {{ISBN|978-0819452979}}
* [http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/ndeaa-pub/AIAA/AIAA-EAP-review-2001.pdf Electroactive Polymers as Artificial Muscles Reality and Challenges]
* [http://rsfs.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/royfocus/6/4/20160026.full.pdf Electroactive polymers for sensing]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Electroactive Polymers}}
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]
[[Category:Polymer material properties]]
[[Category:Smart materials]]
[[Category:Transducers]]