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Electroactive Polymer-Based Composites for Artificial Muscle-like Actuators: A Review.
Aleksey V Maksimkin1, Tarek Dayyoub1, Dmitry V Telyshev1,2
1Institute for Bionic Technologies and Engineering, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bolshaya Pirogovskaya Street 2-4, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 9, 2022
Summary
Polymer actuators, or
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Robotics
Background:
- Polymer actuators offer advantages over traditional actuators, including light weight, processability, biodegradability, and large strains.
- They respond to various stimuli like electric fields, temperature, and pH, making them suitable for diverse applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest advancements, operating principles, and challenges of electroactive polymers (EAPs).
- To highlight the potential of EAPs as "artificial muscles" in biomedicine and soft robotics.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on polymer actuators and electroactive materials.
- Analysis of activation methods, mechanical properties, and control strategies.
Main Results:
- Electroactive polymers (EAPs) show significant promise for prosthetics and soft robotics due to their 'artificial muscle' capabilities.
- Key challenges include robust control, modeling non-linear behavior, and scalable fabrication.
Conclusions:
- Further research into the scientific and engineering foundations of polymer actuators is crucial for enhancing control and durability.
- Overcoming fabrication and control challenges will enable wider real-world application of soft robotic systems.
