Electric field sensitive neutral polymer gels

In this paper we summarise the effects induced by electric field on the motility and the shape of polymer gels. Then it is followed by a description of a new driving mechanism to induce deformation of a neutral polymer gels in a non-conducting medium. The main idea is to incorporate such finely distributed colloidal particles into a swollen network which responds to electric field. Since the particles cannot leave the gel matrix, all the forces acting on the particles are transmitted directly to the polymer chains resulting in either locomotion or deformation of the gel. Bending of weakly cross-linked poly(dimethyl siloxane) gels containing finely distributed electric field sensitive particles has been studied in silicon oil. Under an external electric field these gels underwent significant and quick bending. A theoretical approach has been developed and compared with the experimental results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.