• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2006

There have been numerous modalities to recover blink function of orbicularis oculi muscle in patients with facial paralysis. However, there is still no optimal method for reanimation of eyelid. In this study, we tried to recover blink function of paralyzed rabbit's eyelid with the ion polymer metal composite (IPMC) which is one of the electroactive polymers that is spotlighted as artificial muscle. We manufactured IPMC by plating the platinum over perfluorosulphonic acid polymer ($Nafion^{(R)}$). IPMC was coated by Norland optical adhesive for the purpose of insulation and keeping it from dry. IPMC modifications by roughening the surface of Nafion, repetitive plating (maximum 4 times) with platinum, and lengthening the width of IPMC were done. The facial paralysis was induced in the rabbit by sectioning of facial nerve at the main trunk. After minimum period of 4 weeks, IPMC was inserted in the paralyzed rabbit's eyelid. By modification, the force generated by IPMC was enhanced. Restoration of blink function in paralyzed rabbit was achieved on electrical stimulation of the IPMC by 5 voltage direct current. IPMC can be promising option for facial reanimation, but further studies are needed to enhance the efficiency of IPMC.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.586-590
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• 2006

As one of electro active polymers for soft smart materials, the ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) are easy to produce through chemical reduction processing and show high displacements at low voltage. When the IPMC actuates, the deformation depends on a few factors including the structure of based membrane, species and morphology of the metal electrodes, the nature of cations and the level of hydration. As previously published, we have been studying on improvement of actuation through surface electrode modification of IPMC to grasp the effect of electrode morphology on actuation. This study is comparative experiments through the chemical reaction and deposition by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) in order to prepare the very thin and homogeneous surface electrode of IPMC. The IPMCs were prepared with different surface roughness of polymer membrane, and the influence of the surface roughness on the actuation was studied. By investigating the electrical properties and driving displacement, the actuating properties of IPMC with different surface roughness were studied.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2013.10a
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• pp.914-916
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• 2013

Renewable energy from the environment in a variety of ways to obtain various forms of energy. Recent functional polymer composites (EAP) to take advantage of the pressure and vibration of physical energy into electrical energy storage, to take advantage of current collector technology is attracting attention. EAP, a type of IPMC (Ionic exchange Polymer Composite) got a hydrophilic properties, marine power plants is being studied as a source of energy. Studies using IPMC marine power plant because there is a constraint on the time, IPMC in real time, which can measure the power generated by the system is required, Due to the nature of the power plant to be floating in the sea through the power cable and data transmission measurement system is hard drive self-generation and wireless data transmission system is required. In this study, IPMC marine power plant is to develop a system of monitoring. IPMC for several power plants to build individual current-voltage measurement system, CAN communication with the main system to collect all the information and wireless data transmission to occur, and Generation of electricity using solar energy to building systems in real-time without an external power supply to drive the measuring system is to develop a monitoring system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.356-359
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• 2005

Ionic-polymer-metal-composite(IPMC), one of new actuation materials of electroactive polymers plated with noble metallic electrodes is known for the fast bending upon electric field. The IPMC strip bends towards anode under electrical field. It has many merits of low driving voltage, quick responsiveness, high durability, possibility of miniaturizability. In this paper, we studied for developing the large deflection of IPMC according several fabricating parameters. We measured the large deflection by the different process of sandpaper and sandblasting in surface treatment, the initial compositing process and the surface electroding process, and the different counter ions in ion exchanging process. In fundamental, the displacement of IPMC strip depends on voltage magnitude and applied signal frequency and its maximum deformation is observed at a critical frequency, resonant frequency.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.718-721
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• 2007

The ionic-polymer-metal-composite actuators have the best merit for bio-mimetic locomotion because of their large bending performance. Especially, they have the advantage for mimicking a fish-like motion because IPMCs are useful to be actuated in water. So we have developed IPMC actuators with multiple electrodes for realization of biomimetic motion. This actuator is fabricated by combining electroless plating and electroplating techniques capable of patterning precisely and controlling a thickness of Pt electrode layer. The FRF analysis was conducted by a mechanical shaker and direct electrical excitation which is based on sweep sine wave function. From this result, the proper young‘s modulus of Platinum was investigated and applied on expecting the vibration characteristics of patterned IPMC actuator. The calculated maximum displacement of the patterned IPMC was 2.32mm under an applied 4mN/mm. The natural frequency was increased however displacement was decreased in according to increase a thickness of Pt.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.444-450
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• 2006

IPMC actuators have been developed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNT) and $Nafion^{\circledR}$ ionic polymers. MWNT with different diameters of $3{\sim}5,\;4{\sim}6$ and $10{\sim}15$ nm and length of $10{\sim}20{\mu}m$ were used to enhance the mechanical and electrical performances of IPMC actuators. Ultrasonic treatment and high speed mixing were used to disperse MWNT homogeneously in $Nafion^{\circledR}$ solution. The electroless plating technique is used to make electrodes on the both side of the composite membrane. SEM and TEM images were taken to characterize the surface and micro-structures of the composite actuators. In this study, improved IPMC actuators were developed and compared with respect to bending actuation performance and electrical power consumptions.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.601-607
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• 2002

IPMC(Ionic Polymer Metal Composite)actuators were optimized for producing improved forces by changing multiple parameters including repetition of number of plating, surface electroding and additive(PVP)-treatment on reduction. The platinum electrode is deposited on the surface of the material where platinum particle stay in a dense form that appears to introduce a significant level of surface electrode resistance. Actuation tests were performed for such IPMC actuators under a low voltage. The test results show that the lower surface-electrode resistance generates higher actuation capability in the IPMC actuators. In order to investigate relaxation behavior of bending and repeatability in dry condition, the IPMC was coated by$rubber(KRATON^{TM})$to minimize the effect of water evaporation from IPMC. This actuator can be used in air with surface coating to avoid membrane drying.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.103.3-103
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• 2001

Recently Electro active polymer has been discussed in various researches as new actuators replacing the human muscles. Since they have confronted a limitation of more advanced application with traditional actuator. IPMC (Ion exchange Polymer Metal Composite) is one of candidate materials for new actuators. In this paper, we propose a new approach and design principle for the IPMC polymer actuator to conquer the weaknesses of IPMC that is intrinsic weak structural stiffness and low trust forces. In the first we performs some experimental works about how the basic specific characteristics of IPMC vary and what the optimal operating conditions are. And we have applied IPMC as active cilium for realization of annelida motion like ...

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.660-666
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• 2001

The Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) is one of the electroactive polymer (EAP) have potential application as micro actuators. In this study, IPMC is used as actuator to control of the direction for the endscopic microcapsule. Because it bends in water and wet conditions by applying a low voltage $(1\sim3\;V)$ to its surfaces. The basic characteristics and the static modeling of IPMC are discussed. Also the dynamic modeling is performed using the Lagrange' equation. Computer simulation results show that the performed modeling guarantee similarity of actual system.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1558-1562
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• 2008

Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC), one of Electro- Active Polymer (EAP) actuators, has great attention due to the low-voltage driven, large deformation and its potential for artificial muscles. In this paper, we firstly review fish swimming modes using various propulsion mechanisms. Based on study on the swimming mechanisms, we develop an underwater robot actuator which mimics fanning motion of webfoot form. It consists of four actuators fabricated by using IPMC and PDMS which mimics Bio-inspired motion Experiments using a prototype show that the webfooted IPMC actuator generates large deformation and propulsion.