title: Bistable large-strain actuation of interpenetrating polymer networks.
abstract: The bistable electroactive polymer is a new smart material capable of large strain, rigid-to-rigid actuation. At the rubbery state of the polymer heated to above its glass transition, stable electrically-induced actuation is obtained at strains as large as 150%. Electromechanical instability can be effectively overcome by the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks. An application as a refreshable braille display is demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, 420 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California, 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaofan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Xinguo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brochu
authors.forename: Hristiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stoyanov
authors.forename: Sungryul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Zhibin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Qibing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Pei
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D004560:Electricity
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; C532460:poly(tert-butyl acrylate)