• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

In this paper, we review papers which report to the all solid-state electroactive polymer-based tunable lens. Since electroactive polymer-based tunable lenses change their focal length by responding to electric stimuli, it can be minimized the size and weight of optical modules. Thus, it has been received attention in the robot, mobile device and display industry. The all solid-state electroactive polymer-based tunable lenses can be classified into two categories depending on the classification of materials: ionic electroactive polymer-based lenses and non-ionic electroactive polymer-based lenses. Most of the ionic electroactive polymer-based tunable lenses are fabricated with ionic polymer-metal composite. So, the ionic electroactive polymer-based tunable lenses can be operated under low electric voltage. But small force, slow recovery time and environmental limitation for operation has been pointed to the disadvantage of the lenses. The non-ionic electroactive polymer-based tunable lenses are classified again into two categories: dielectric polymer-based tunable lenses and polyvinylchloride gel-based tunable lenses. The advantage of the dielectric polymer-based tunable lenses is fast response to electric stimuli. But the essential flexible electrodes degrade performance of the lens. Polyvinylchloride gel-based tunable lens has reported impressive performance without flexible electrodes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.232.2-232.2
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• 2015

Piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM) is a powerful method to characterize inversed piezoelectric effects directly using conductive atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips. Piezoelectric domains respond to an applied AC voltage with a characteristic strain via a contact between the tip and the surface of piezoelectric material. Electroactive piezoelectric polymers are widely investigated due to their advantages such as flexibility, light weight, and microactuation enabling various device features. Although piezoelectric polymers are promising materials for wide applications, they have the primary issue that the piezoelectric coefficient is much lower than that of piezoelectric ceramics. Researchers are studying widely to enhance the piezoelectric coefficient of the materials including nanoscale fabrication and copolymerization with some materials. In this report, nanoscale electroactive polymers are prepared by the electrospinning method that provides advantages of direct poling, scalability, and easy control. The main parameters of the electrospinning process such as distance, bias voltage, viscosity of the solution, and elasticity affects the piezoelectric coefficient and the nanoscale structures which are related to the phase of piezoelectric polymers. The characterization of such electroactive polymers are conducted using piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM). Their morphologies are characterized by field emission-scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and the crystallinity of the polymer is determined by X-ray diffractometer.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.593-597
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• 2004

A new ionomeric polymer-metal composite (IPMC) was prepared using a cast membrane of acrylic copolymer, which was synthesized by radical copolymerization of fluoroalkyl acrylate and acrylic acid (AA). To examine its performance as a new electroactive polymer, the current and displacement responses to a step voltage applied across the IPMC were measured. The largest responses were observed when the AA content in the copolymer was $10.6\;wt\%$.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.564-572
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• 2004

Modem applications could benefit from multifunctional materials having anisotropic optical, electrical, thermal, or mechanical properties, especially when coupled with locally controlled distribution of the directional response. Such materials are difficult to engineer by conventional methods, but the electric field-aided technology presented herein is able to locally tailor electroactive composites. Applying an electric field to a polymer in its liquid state allows the orientation of chain- or fiber-like inclusions or phases from what was originally an isotropic material. Such composites can be formed from liquid solutions, melts, or mixtures of pre-polymers and cross-linking agents. Upon curing, a 'created composite' results; it consists of these 'pseudofibers' embedded in a matrix. One can also create oriented composites from embedded spheres, flakes, or fiber-like shapes in a liquid plastic. Orientation of the externally applied electric field defines the orientation of the field-aided self-assembled composites. The strength and duration of exposure of the electric field control the degree of anisotropy created. Results of electromechanical testing of these modified materials, which are relevant to sensing and actuation applications, are presented. The materials' micro/nanostructures were analyzed using microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.463-467
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• 2005

In order to enhance the actuation force of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) made with the acrylic copolymer of fluoroalkyl methacryate, acrylic acie, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate(HEMA), the hydroxy group of HEMA was corsslinked with 1,3-diethoxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane. The water uptake was reduced and the mechanical strengths and the actuation force of the membrane was improved by crosslinking. However, current and deformation responses of IPMC were decreased by crosslinking.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.826-832
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• 2001

In this study, PPy/gold/mylar type electroactive bi-layer actuator was prepared by the electrochemical polymerization of pyrrole onto the gold/mylar film and the actuation characteristics were studied using bending beam method. Conducting polymer-based actuators undergo volumetric changes due to the movement of dopant ions into the film during the electrical oxidation process. The bilayer films exhibited different actuation characteristics depending on dopant ion size. It was observed that the relatively small dopant ion (i.e. toluene sulfonate) moved into the PPy film at oxidized state, so volume expanded to result in bending motion. In case of the film having large dopant ion (i.e. dodecylbenzenesulfonate), volume expansion was observed at reduced state. This is due to the incorporation of $Na^+$ counterion with water molecules, while the large dopant ion was fixed in the film due to the limited mobility during tile redox process.

• Polymer Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2013

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.709-712
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• 2003

The existing technical limitation makes engineer imitate nature to solve engineering problems. Recently Micro Air Vehicle(MAV) imitating the mechanism of birds or insects is being developed. Especially Ultra Flite supported by DARPA is studying hummingbird aerodynamics to relate that information to MAV. To drive MAV bender piezoelectric(PZT) actuators are used due to the convinience of control and the small size. But the displacement of the PZT actuators are very small, and the wing driving mechanism which amplifies the stroke generated by the PZT actuators has constraints in design and manufacture because of the small dimension. In this paper a wing design concept and a efficient driving mechanism are proposed. Electroactive polymers(EAPs) are used as wing mechanism actuators. Using OpenGL the mechanisms are simulated graphically. Also a prototype actuator is being developed and verified by digital Mockup with CATIA. Basic kinematics of the mechanism is studied.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2007

A number of different alternative actuation methods have been under active development for some specific applications where the traditional electromechanical actuators are difficult to apply. Recently, many of these substitutes are trying to employ new smart materials like electroactive polymers. However most of the polymeric materials are flexible and vulnerable so that they normally can not sustain external forces. Although the materials have shown a good potential to be used for alternative actuation mechanisms, no tangible industrial application is yet presented because of the reason. A conceptual design for a rectilinear motion actuator using dielectric elastomer is presented in this article. The introduced design concept might enable to produce fairly controllable rectilinear motions for various applications and the presented prototype actuator system is fully packaged in a small unit and controlled by a standard communication interface.