title: Electroactive polymers for sensing.
abstract: Electromechanical coupling in electroactive polymers (EAPs) has been widely applied for actuation and is also being increasingly investigated for sensing chemical and mechanical stimuli. EAPs are a unique class of materials, with low-moduli high-strain capabilities and the ability to conform to surfaces of different shapes. These features make them attractive for applications such as wearable sensors and interfacing with soft tissues. Here, we review the major types of EAPs and their sensing mechanisms. These are divided into two classes depending on the main type of charge carrier: ionic EAPs (such as conducting polymers and ionic polymer-metal composites) and electronic EAPs (such as dielectric elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers and piezoelectric polymers). This review is intended to serve as an introduction to the mechanisms of these materials and as a first step in material selection for both researchers and designers of flexible/bendable devices, biocompatible sensors or even robotic tactile sensing units.
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK; EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK.
authors: Tiesheng
authors: 0000-0001-7587-7681
authors: T
authors: Wang
authors: Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory , University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors: Meisam
authors: 0000-0001-8605-2589
authors: M
authors: Farajollahi
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: Yeon Sik
authors: 0000-0003-3813-3442
authors: YS
authors: Choi
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: I-Ting
authors: 0000-0001-9025-9611
authors: IT
authors: Lin
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: Jean E
authors: 0000-0001-7617-4101
authors: JE
authors: Marshall
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: Noel M
authors: 0000-0002-9310-169X
authors: NM
authors: Thompson
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: Sohini
authors: 0000-0002-8151-1616
authors: S
authors: Kar-Narayan
authors: Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory , University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada V6T 1Z4.
authors: John D W
authors: 0000-0002-0014-4712
authors: JD
authors: Madden
authors: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy , University of Cambridge , Cambridge CB3 0FS , UK.
authors: Stoyan K
authors: 0000-0003-1738-818X
authors: SK
authors: Smoukov
keywords: conducting polymer; dielectric elastomer; electroactive polymer; liquid-crystal elastomer; piezoelectric polymer; sensor