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Actuators
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Electroactive Polymer (EAP) for Actuators and Sensors Applications
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Electroactive Polymer (EAP) for Actuators and Sensors Applications

A special issue of Actuators (ISSN 2076-0825). This special issue belongs to the section "Actuator Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 1744

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Brittany Newell

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polytechnic Institute School of Engineering Technology, Purdue University, 401 N. Grant St., West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Interests: electroactive polymers; sensors; actuators; additive manufacturing; flexible circuits
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Electroactive polymers or EAPs are materials capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. EAPS are commonly used as either sensors or actuators. They are of great interest due to their large deformations under load in comparison to more traditional ceramic-based actuators. EAPs are primarily divided into two main categories, dielectric and ionic.  Dielectric EAPs are constructed fundamentally as a parallel plate capacitor and require very high voltages (thousands of volts) with low currents (microAmps of current) for actuation. Overall, dielectric EAPs represent a subclass of low power actuators with large deformations, but they have specific electrical power requirements to meet these goals. Due to their inherent capacitance-based design, they are also ideal for capacitance-based sensing, including changes in pressure, load, or electrical properties. Dielectric EAPs have high applicability in robotic applications due to their high deformations, ability to hold load under DC power, and inherent sensing capabilities. Ionic EAPs are a second subclass deformity caused by the flow of ions in the material when induced by an electric field.  Ionic EAPs require low voltage (only a few volts) but also require a liquid environment for an actuation-limiting field of application. However, novel encapsulation methods have been developed, thus expanding their application range. These materials are ideal for application in aqueous environments, such as in biological systems. Overall, the field of EAPs has seen substantial growth as new materials and manufacturing methods are developed and the use of robotic solutions increases.

Dr. Brittany Newell
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Actuators is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • capacitance-based sensing
  • electroactive polymers
  • EAPs
  • dielectrics
  • ionic EAPs
  • actuators
  • sensors
  • large deformation

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 21925 KiB  
Article
Optimising Sodium Borohydride Reduction of Platinum onto Nafion-117 in the Electroless Plating of Ionic Polymer–Metal Composites
by Eyman Manaf, Daniel P. Fitzpatrick, Clement L. Higginbotham and John G. Lyons
Actuators 2024, 13(9), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/act13090350 - 10 Sep 2024
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Abstract
The effects of process parameters on the electroless plating of ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) were studied in this work. Specifically, the NaBH4 reduction of platinum onto Nafion-117 was characterised. The effects of the concurrent variation of NaBH4 concentration, stir time and [...] Read more.
The effects of process parameters on the electroless plating of ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs) were studied in this work. Specifically, the NaBH4 reduction of platinum onto Nafion-117 was characterised. The effects of the concurrent variation of NaBH4 concentration, stir time and temperature on surface resistance were studied through a full factorial design. The three-factor three-level factorial design resulted in 27 runs. Surface resistance was measured using a four-point probe. A regression model with an R2 value of 97.45% was obtained. Surface resistance was found to decrease with increasing stir time (20 to 60 min) and temperature (20 to 60 °C). These responses were attributed to increased platinisation rates, resulting in more uniform electrode deposition, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX) analysis. Surface resistance decreased, going from 1% to 5% NaBH4 concentration, but increased from 5% to 10% concentration. This behaviour was attributed to surface morphology: increased grain size inducing porous electrodes, in line with findings in the literature. The maximum tip displacement, measured through a computer vision system, as well as the maximum blocking force, measured through an analytical balance setup, were obtained for all 27 samples. The varying results were discussed with regards to surface and cross-sectional SEMs, alongside EDAX analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroactive Polymer (EAP) for Actuators and Sensors Applications)
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Review

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20 pages, 2425 KiB  
Review
A Review of Electroactive Polymers in Sensing and Actuator Applications
by Diana Narvaez and Brittany Newell
Actuators 2025, 14(6), 258; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14060258 - 23 May 2025
Abstract
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) represent a versatile class of smart materials capable of converting electrical stimuli into mechanical motion and vice versa, positioning them as key components in the next generation of actuators and sensors. This review summarizes recent developments in both electronic and [...] Read more.
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) represent a versatile class of smart materials capable of converting electrical stimuli into mechanical motion and vice versa, positioning them as key components in the next generation of actuators and sensors. This review summarizes recent developments in both electronic and ionic EAPs, highlighting their activation mechanisms, material architectures, and multifunctional capabilities. Representative systems include dielectric elastomers, ferroelectric and conducting polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, and ionic gels. Advances in fabrication methods, such as additive manufacturing, nanocomposite engineering, and patternable electrode deposition, are discussed with emphasis on miniaturization, stretchability, and integration into soft systems. Applications span biomedical devices, wearable electronics, soft robotics, and environmental monitoring, with growing interest in platforms that combine actuation and sensing within a single structure. Finally, the review addresses critical challenges such as long-term material stability and scalability, and outlines future directions toward self-powered, AI-integrated, and sustainable EAP technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroactive Polymer (EAP) for Actuators and Sensors Applications)
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38 pages, 2989 KiB  
Review
Electroactive Polymers for Self-Powered Actuators and Biosensors: Advancing Biomedical Diagnostics Through Energy Harvesting Mechanisms
by Nargish Parvin, Sang Woo Joo, Jae Hak Jung and Tapas Kumar Mandal
Actuators 2025, 14(6), 257; https://doi.org/10.3390/act14060257 - 23 May 2025
Abstract
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) have emerged as versatile materials for self-powered actuators and biosensors, revolutionizing biomedical diagnostics and healthcare technologies. These materials harness various energy harvesting mechanisms, including piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and ionic conductivity, to enable real-time, energy-efficient, and autonomous sensing and actuation without external [...] Read more.
Electroactive polymers (EAPs) have emerged as versatile materials for self-powered actuators and biosensors, revolutionizing biomedical diagnostics and healthcare technologies. These materials harness various energy harvesting mechanisms, including piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and ionic conductivity, to enable real-time, energy-efficient, and autonomous sensing and actuation without external power sources. This review explores recent advancements in EAP-based self-powered systems, focusing on their applications in biosensing, soft robotics, and biomedical actuation. The integration of nanomaterials, flexible electronics, and wireless communication technologies has significantly enhanced their sensitivity, durability, and multifunctionality, making them ideal for next-generation wearable and implantable medical devices. Additionally, this review discusses key challenges, including material stability, biocompatibility, and optimization strategies for enhanced performance. Future perspectives on the clinical translation of EAP-based actuators and biosensors are also highlighted, emphasizing their potential to transform smart healthcare and bioelectronic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electroactive Polymer (EAP) for Actuators and Sensors Applications)
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