• ETRI Journal
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.695-702
• /
• 2009

We propose a lens-drive unit composed of an ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) for an auto-focus compact camera module in cellular phones to solve the power consumption problem of voice coil motors which are widely used in commercial products. In this research, an IPMC incorporated into a lens-drive unit is designed to implement a large displacement in low-power consumption by using an anisotropic plasma treatment. Experimental results show that a camera module containing IPMCs can control and maintain the position of the lens by using proportional integral derivative control with a photo-reflective position sensor despite the non-linear actuation behavior of IPMCs. We demonstrate that the fabrication and commercialization of a lens actuator that has a large displacement and low power consumption using IPMCs is possible in the near future.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.211-223
• /
• 2010

Accurate sensing of mechanical strains in civil structures is critical for optimizing structure reliability and lifetime. For instance, combined with intelligent control systems, electromechanical sensor output feedback has the potential to be employed for nondestructive damage evaluation. Application of Ionic Polymer Transducers (IPTs) represents a relatively new sensing approach with more than an order of magnitude higher sensitivity than traditional piezoelectric sensors. The primary reason this sensor has not been widely used to date is an inadequate understanding of the physics responsible for IPT sensing. This paper presents models and experiments defending the hypothesis of a streaming potential sensing mechanism.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.112-120
• /
• 2003

The composite of ionic polymer and metal has been fabricated and used for actuators. Platinum is deposited by electroless plating method onto the both sides of ionic polymer where ac voltage is applied. This results in the bending motion of a beam type actuator. In this paper, the fabrication method of ionic polymer-metal composite has been explained and the moving mechanism has been fabricated and measured using the ionic polymer-metal composite actuator. The moving mechanism is wireless type and the power is supplied through the rail electrodes in base plate. The maximum speed of the moving mechanism was about 24cm/min.