PF-IPMC: Paper/Fabric Assisted IPMC Actuators for 3D Crafts

摘要

An ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuator is one of the most promising electroactive polymer devices. It is a lightweight and flexible actuator that can be operated in low voltage, high-frequency bandwidth, and even water. To widen the application field and enhance the potential of the IPMC actuator, a stable and flexible arbitrary 3D fabrication method is required. To address this arbitrary 3D fabrication problem, we have proposed and studied a novel fabrication method using papers and fabrics as the base materials of IPMC actuators. In this letter, we propose a novel paper/fabric (PF)-IPMC and its detailed fabrication process. For future design optimization, the fundamental characteristics derived from a type of paper and fabric are also determined through experiments. PF-IPMCs created from papers (Tissue, Kimwipe, and Kimtowel) have a greater ability for deformation, blocking force, and adsorption ratio than those created from fabrics (cotton and polyester). After the fundamental properties were evaluated, an origami plane and a crane PF-IPMC robots were created using the proposed method. Both PF-IPMC robots retained their initial shapes after completion of the fabrication process and could be operated normally. This shows the potential of the PF-IPMC for application to 3D craft.