@article { 6676891,
	title = {Fast contracting polypyrrole actuators},
	journal = {Synth. Met. (Switzerland)},
	volume = {113},
	number = {1-2},
	year = {2000},
	note = {polypyrrole;conducting polymer;fast contracting actuators;operating voltages;microelectromechanical system;power-to-mass ratio;strain rates;electrolytes;},
	pages = {185 - 92},
	type = {article},
	abstract = {Conducting polymer-based actuators are capable of producing at least 10 times more force for a given cross-sectional area (active stress) than skeletal muscle, and potentially 1000 times more, with strains typically between 1% and 10%. Low operating voltages make them particularly attractive for use in micro-electromechanical systems, in place of electrostatic and piezoelectric actuators. A drawback of conducting polymer actuators is their relatively slow speed, and hence low power-to-mass ratio. In this paper, shaped voltage pulses are applied to generate strain rates of up to 3% s<sup>-1</sup>, with peak power to mass ratios of 39 Wkg<sup>-1</sup> of polymer, nearly matching mammalian skeletal muscle. Results are obtained from polypyrrole linear and bilayer actuators and employ both liquid and gel electrolytes},
	keywords = {conducting polymers;electrolytes;microactuators;polymer structure;},
	URL = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0379-6779(00)00195-8},
	author = { Madden, J.D.  and  Cush, R.A.  and  Kanigan, T.S.  and  Hunter, I.W.}
}