History: 1925 - that the first piezoelectric polymer was discovered by combining carnauba wax, rosin and beeswax, and then cooling the solution while it is subject to an applied DC electrical bias. The mixture would then solidify into a polymeric material that exhibited a piezoelectric effect.
1977 - first electrically conducting polymers were discovered by Hideki Shirakawa Along with Alan MacDiarmid and Alan Heeger who demonstrated that polyacetylene was electrically conductive, and that by doping it with iodine vapor, they could enhance its conductivity by 8 orders of magnitude. 1990 - ionic polymer-metal composites were developed and shown to exhibit electroactive properties far superior to previous EAPs. deformation at voltages as low as 1 or 2 volts
EAP: Research + Development History and invention
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
Two classes: Dielectric and Ionic Dielectronic polymers:
Able to hold their induced displacement while activated under a DC voltage. However, dielectronic polymers require very high activation fields (>10 v/um) that are close to the breakdown level. -Used in Robotics
Ionic polymers: -requires only 1-2 volts. -Need to maintain wetness - some polymers have been developed as self contained encapsulated activators which allows their use in dry environments. -Ionic polymers also have a low electromechanical coupling. - ideal for the bio-mimetic devices.
EAP: Research + Development Two Principles of EPA
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
Material Properties “If we pass a current from one side to the other, then what we can get is an oxidation on one side and a reduction on the other. So if this side oxidizes, and this [other] side reduces we end up getting a bending. When we hit the voltage in the other direction, then we get a bending in the other direction.� Scott McGovern of University of Wollongong (Associated Press) Video: http://vimeo.com/5421831
EAP: Research + Development Ability to bend in counter directions
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
NASA “NASA and The Jet Propulsion Laboratory say the ultimate aim for the artificial muscles is the development of robots to explore the solar system.� (Associated Press) EAP has two main properties, the ability to contract, and ability to bend in multiple directions. Since it can produce electricital currents when touched, it can also be used as a sensor.
http://technologygateway.nasa.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=media
EAP: Research + Development Space Exploration through robots
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
2005 - The EAP/Human Armwrestling Match
The first competition was held on March 7, 2005 at 5:00 PM in San Diego, California and the 17-year Artificial Muscles old student human opponent won against all the three robotic arms that participated. These arms were made by: 1. Environmental Robots Incorporated (ERI), Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Yoseph Bar-Cohen, proposed theFederal Armwres2. Swiss Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research, EMPA, Dubendorf, Switzerland tling Match of EAP Robotic Arm Against Hu3. Virginia Tech - Steven Deso, Stephen Ros, Noah P. Papas, Senior Students in the Engineering man Challenge. Science and Mechanics Dept. Research groups around thelongest world competed The to hold against the student has been the arm from ERI and it lasted for 26-seconds. To get a to design a robotic armprospective consisting oftoEAP this major milestone for the field of EAP one may want to be aware that the first flight of muscles that could defeat humanBrothers in an armbefore over hundred years lasted only 12-seconds. the aWright wrestling match. The following photos of the three arms where taken during the competition: Development of EAPs in different configurations (e.g., fibers and fiber bundles), would increase the range of possible modes of motion. EAPs can exhibit up to a 380% strain, which is much more than any ceramic actuator Medical uses in devices ranging from prosthetic legs to tongue toning devices for use on sleep apnea patients.
Also, a video of the competition is available on the Discovery channel's Daily Planet, March 15, 2005. Bar�Cohen, Yoseph. Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Actuators as Artificial Muscles: Reality,
EAP: Research + Development
http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/lommas/eap/EAP-armwrestling.htm Examining properties through current use
Materials and Performance 4/12/2011 EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.architerials.com/2010/10/electro-active-polymers-shapeshift/
EAP: Research + Development Medical to Architectural Applications
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
Video1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKxic1kJ9XU&feature=player_embedded
Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CThFRt95aI&feature=player_embedded
EAP: Research + Development Exterior Skin Concepts
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
EAP - Complex Forms “EAP can induce strains that are as high as two orders of magnitude greater that the striction‐limited, rigid, and fragile electroactive ceramics (EAC). EAP materials are superior to shape memory allows (SMA) in higher response speed, lower density, and greater resilience.” Bar‐Cohen,EAP Possible use - EAP could look for forms that respond to multiple intensive variables Simillar to Frei Otto - Soap Bubble Device where it can be a diagram of forces acting on it and test how the shape is key to the strength.
Read more: http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2009/07/22/structure-old-shell-game#ixzz1JJsfV3et
EAP: Research + Development
Properties : handle strain, memory and reponse - complex prototyping
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
EAP - Interiors? Possible capacity - EAP as a surface application where it could respond to environmental needs such as permeability. Ventilation Natural lighting Control to social connectivity Interior Screening Acoustics Textiles
http://textilefuturesphd.blogspot.com/2011/02/call-for-participation-electro-active.html
EAP: Research + Development
Identify Key Attributes and Relevance to ID
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
Energy Harvesting Potential Applications: While EAP have been applied in the past in actuators and artificial muscles, promising applications of such materials in hydrodynamic and vibratory energy harvesting are under development Hydrodynamic and risidual energy harvesting to power sensors and actuators based on micro and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) Biomedical, Aerospace and oceanic applications
Hyper Drive Company w / SRI Scientists Oceanic energy harvesting trail using heaving motion of the waves to producie about 20 joules of energy each time it bobs in the water right now it about enough to power a dim light bulb but the start up company hopes that this will lead to developments that could power a city
http://www.santacruz.com/News/2008/12/09/SRI_Tests_Wave_Energy_Generator_Off_Santa_Cruz_Shore
EAP: Research + Development
Future Use - Energy Harvesting - Hyper Drive Company
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
Bionic Propulsion System Project to create and artificial fish which has tail movements that propell it foward A commercially produced version of this fish project was the first mass�produced EAP product available for consumers. Silvan Michael, of Swiss Federation Labs
(Associated Press) McGovern
EAP: Research + Development First Consumer Product on the Market
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-08/iphones-blind
EAP: Research + Development
Access to new technology - Braille displays
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://gadgetcrave.com/benevolent-tech-10-amazing-gadgets-for-the-blind/2555/
EAP: Research + Development
Access to new technology - Braille displays
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.optotune.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=41
EAP: Research + Development Optical Lenses
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.luxfashionstyle.com/collection-of-cool-and-unique-watch-luxury-watches-with-analog-and-digital-display/
EAP: Research + Development Product Design
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/10/05/funktionide-by-stefan-ulrich/
EAP: Research + Development
Product Design - Shape Changing Object - Stefan Ulrich
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/10/05/funktionide-by-stefan-ulrich/
EAP: Research + Development
Product Design - Shape Changing Object - Stefan Ulrich
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://www.dezeen.com/2009/10/05/funktionide-by-stefan-ulrich/
EAP: Research + Development
Product Design - Shape Changing Object - Stefan Ulrich
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers
http://fourfifthsdesign.com/2009/08/
EAP: Research + Development
Product Design - Beautiful Car Concept - Bob Romkes
Materials and Performance EAP - Electroactive polymers