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Bistable large-strain actuation of interpenetrating polymer networks
Xiaofan Niu1, Xinguo Yang, Paul Brochu
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA.
Abstract:
The bistable electroactive polymer is a new smart material capable of large strain, rigid-to-rigid actuation. At the rubbery state of the polymer heated to above its glass transition, stable electrically-induced actuation is obtained at strains as large as 150%. Electromechanical instability can be effectively overcome by the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks. An application as a refreshable braille display is demonstrated.
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