Electroactive Polymers for Robotic Applications

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) respond to electrical stimulation with large deformations. They are dynamic actuators which have interested an interdisciplinary audience of engineers and scientists. An enabling EAP technology is emerging which attempts to imitate the properties ofnatural muscle and which can perform a unique function in a variety of biologically-inspired robotics applications. This book covers the properties, modelling and demonstration of EAPs in robotic applications, focusing on artificial muscles and sensors. Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Acutators and Dielectric Elastomers are discussed with chapters on their properties and their uses in robotics applications. With its concentration on devices based on EAPs and their uses, this book will interest researchers working within the field as well as postgraduate students studying robotics or smart materials and structures. Practitioners working in the mechanical, electrical and materials industries will also find this book of value.