title: Nanothorn electrodes for ionic polymer-metal composite artificial muscles.
abstract: Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) have recently received tremendous interest as soft biomimetic actuators and sensors in various bioengineering and human affinity applications, such as artificial muscles and actuators, aquatic propulsors, robotic end-effectors, and active catheters. Main challenges in developing biomimetic actuators are the attainment of high strain and actuation force at low operating voltage. Here we first report a nanostructured electrode surface design for IPMC comprising platinum nanothorn assemblies with multiple sharp tips. The newly developed actuator with the nanostructured electrodes shows a new way to achieve highly enhanced electromechanical performance over existing flat-surfaced electrodes. We demonstrate that the formation and growth of the nanothorn assemblies at the electrode interface lead to a dramatic improvement (3- to 5-fold increase) in both actuation range and blocking force at low driving voltage (1-3 V). These advances are related to the highly capacitive properties of nanothorn assemblies, increasing significantly the charge transport during the actuation process.
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, U.S.A [2] Active Materials and Processing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, U.S.A [3] Active Materials and Smart Living Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Viljar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Palmre
authors.affiliation: Active Materials and Processing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pugal
authors.affiliation: Active Materials and Smart Living Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Kwang J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Electroactive Autonomous Systems Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Kam K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Leang
authors.affiliation: Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Ikeda, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Kinji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asaka
authors.affiliation: Intelligent Materials and Systems Laboratory, Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Alvo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aabloo
mesh_terms: D001187:Artificial Organs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004566:Electrodes; D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D009132:Muscles; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D008670:Metals; D011108:Polymers