Artificial muscles and sensors

Kim, K.J. and Tadokoro, S. (eds) (2007) Electroactive Polymers for Robotics Applications. Artificial Muscles and Sensors, Springer-Verlag, London. 

Kim KJ, Tadokoro S (2007) Electroactive polymers for robotic applications artificial muscles and sensors. Springer, London... 

The other research area involves developing IPMC applications. So far the focus has been mostly on actuators, artificial muscles, and sensors. For instance, Nafion-based accelerometers have been used as vibration sensors [Sadeghipour et al. (1992)], and IPMCs have been used as micropumps [Guo et al. (1996)]. Researchers introduced the possibility of using IPMCs as artificial muscles in robots [Shahinpoor et al. (1998)] and as energy harvesters for battery charging systems [Dogruer et al. (2007)]. 

Applications being developed for responsive gels include drug delivery systems, novel separation systems, artificial muscles and the like, switches and sensors. The rate of response to the environmental changes may directly influence the system performance, as in switches and sensors, or indirectly, as in the cases of recyclable absorbents, where cycling times must be minimized to ensure the economic feasibility of the application. Much of the research on responsive gels... 

Jung, K., Nam, J. and Choi, H. (2003b). Investigations on actuation characteristics of ipmc artificial muscle actuator. Sensors and Actuators A Physical... 

There are many plication possibilities, including use in artificial muscles, switches, sensors, and medical devices. The chemomechanical polymer gels introduced here are discussed based on which stimulus creates the driving force. 

The use and application of such changes in volume is the origin of electrochemomechanical devices [19]—sensors, actuators, electrochemopositioning devices, artificial muscles, and so on—as is explained in the following sections. 

One area where the relationship between the structure of the polymer matrix and the physical processes of the thin layer has been studied in detail is that of electrodes modified with polymer films. The polymer materials investigated in these studies include both conducting and redox polymers. Such investigations have been driven by the many potential applications for these materials. Conducting polymers have been applied in sensors, electrolytic capacitors, batteries, magnetic storage devices, electrostatic loudspeakers and artificial muscles. On the other hand, the development of electrodes coated with redox polymers have been used extensively to develop electrochemical sensors and biosensors. In this discussion,... 

After establishing the basic principles of polymer chemistry, the book pinpoints the dynamic properties of the more useful conducting polymers, such as polypyrroles, polythiophenes, and polyanilines. It then demonstrates how the control of these properties enables cutting-edge applications in nano, biomedicine, and MEMS as well as sensors and artificial muscles. Subsequent chapters discuss the effect of nanodimensionai control on the resultant properties. 

The benefit of being able to sense deflections, generate energy, and modulate stiffness may have substantial impacts on the use of dielectric elastomers as artificial muscles in robotic and prosthetic applications. The DE elements could act as artificial analogs of natural muscle, sensory systems, and digestive systems. A robot consisting of DE elements should therefore someday be capable of controlled motion without the need for additional sensors, and self-sustainability without requiring and an external source of electricity. 

Kim KJ, Shahinpoor M (2002) A novel method of manufacturing three-dimensional ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) bomimetic sensors, actuators and artificial muscles. Polymer 43 797... 

Shahinpoor M, Kim KJ (2004) Ionic polymer-metal composites ID. modeling and simulation as biomimetic sensors, actuators, transducers and artificial muscles (review paper). Smart Mater Struct Int J 13(6) 1362-1388. doi 10.1088/0964-1726/13/6/009... 

Shahinpoor M (2003) Ionic polymer-conductor composites as biomimetric sensors, robotic actuators and artificial muscles—a review. Electrochim Acta 48(14-16) 2343-2353... 

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