Material	Conducting polymers
	Conducting polymers are conjugated polymers, namely organic compounds that have an extended p-orbital system, through which electrons can move from one end of the polymer to the other. The most common are polyaniline (PAni) and polypyrrole (PPY). Polipyrrole has been used for the development of micro muscles. Polyaniline films sandwiched around a ion-conducting film are considered as material for artificial muscles for robots. A current flow reduces one side and oxidises the other. Ions are transferred. One side expands and the other contracts, resulting in a bending of the sandwich. Electrical and chemical energies are so transformed in mechanical energy.
Category	Responsive (smart) materials, Mooving materials
Similar materials	Dielectric elastomers Polymer gels
References	DTU, Department of Chemistry Risų, Condensed Matter Physics Danfoss A/S
Additional Info	Conducting polymers are still at a research level. Commercial applications are not expected before 1-10 years. Presently, the expected lifetime of the muscle is of 100.000 actuations.
Photo	Thomas Nissen (Computer graphics)
Copyright	© 1996-2019 Torben Lenau This page is part of Design inSite Disclaimer