ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS(EAP)

ABSTRACT Electro active polymers are soft actuation materials that are fastly replacing the conventional actuating materials such as piezo electric crystals, motors, screws etc:- As the name suggests, they essentially consists of a ionic polymer back bone metallic composite having positive counter ions. On the application of an electric field or small voltage, these EAPs will bend towards the anode. They have properties resembling human muscles and are some times called artificial muscles. The EAPs are now extensively revolutionizing the various industrial fields (esp. robotics), bio-medical field and find important applications in space exploration programs (esp. for NASA). The seminar will guide you through the microstructure, manufacture, working, applications and the advantages/disadvantages of electro active polymers.