Behavior of conducting polymer-based micro-actuators under a DC voltage

Conducting polymer-based micro-actuators are of great interest in soft MEMS as they exhibit large strains and forces response to electrical stimulation. To date, these have very often been characterized by applying low frequency voltage extract the electromechanical characteristics. However, many applications require maintaining actuator’s position for several minutes. A micro-camera tracking displacements an object, actuation a cochlear implant during surgery, or closing micro-tweezers manipulate objects potential which is achieved direct current (DC) voltage. Knowledge behavior under after DC crucial modeling future control. Consequently, kinetics reach maximum strain followed back-relaxation identified. It shown that it result competition between elastic restoring force backflow ions inside actuator. residual observed short circuit studied function applied. demonstrated chronology power-ups affect actuator amplitude. The interpretation experimental results linked directly intrinsic operation presented.