%0 Journal Article
%J Synth. Met. (Switzerland)
%D 2000
%T Fast contracting polypyrrole actuators
%A Madden, J D
%A Cush, R A
%A Kanigan, T S
%A Hunter, I W
%K conducting polymers;electrolytes;microactuators;polymer structure;
%P 185 - 92
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0379-6779(00)00195-8
%V 113
%X 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
%Z polypyrrole;conducting polymer;fast contracting actuators;operating voltages;microelectromechanical system;power-to-mass ratio;strain rates;electrolytes;
%9 article