“Electroactive Polymers,  or EAPs, are polymers 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 actuators and sensors. A typical characteristic property of an EAP is that they will undergo a large amount of deformation while sustaining large forces. 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, which is much more than any ceramic actuator. Another one of the most common applications for EAPs is in the field of robotics in the development of artificial muscles. Due to this being one of the most common and attractive applications, EAPs are often referred to as artificial muscles.” (Wikipedia, Electroactive Polymers, 5/16/2011)

“This invention relates generally to active materials stimulated by electric potential gradients generated by at least one of stress gradient, temperature gradient, electrode potential gradient, ionization potential gradient and electric field. The active material is a composite incorporating a solid electrolyte, where introduction of at least one of stress, temperature, electrode potential, ionization energy and electric potential gradients guide and drive transport and deposition of substance within the system to render self-healing, self-adaptation and/or sensory effects, and to facilitate repair and remodeling of the system.” [Soroushian and Balachandra, US Patent 8,017,227 (9/13/2011)]

Actuators    
Applications  
Artificial Muscles   
Electrical Applications  
Sensors    

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