A new fabrication method for IPMC actuators and application to artificial fingers

IPMC ( ionic polymer metal composite), a kind of ionic electroactive polymer (EAP), has been used for various applications because it has light weight and can make large bending deformation under low driving voltage. In the present work, thick IPMC films were fabricated by hot-pressing several thin IPMC films and the actuating performance was evaluated. Displacement and maximum load with applied voltage were measured using a displacement measuring system, a load cell and a multimeter. Several cycles of Pt electroless-plating were performed on the IPMC films to improve the actuating performance. Then, SEM ( scanning electron microscopy) micrographs and EDS ( energy dispersive spectrometer) profiles of the IPMC specimen were examined. To demonstrate the feasibility of IPMC films for medical or robotic applications, the developed IPMC actuators were applied to artificial fingers and tested.