ELECTROACTIVE POLYMERS BASED ON ELASTOMERIC NANOCOMPOSITES

Entity: 
MICINN
Type: 
Spanish R+D plan
Leader: 
Verdejo, Raquel
ICTP Personal: 
Departamento de Nanomateriales Poliméricos y Biomateriales Bernal Ortega, María del Mar; Bitinis, Natacha; López Manchado, Miguel Ángel; Martín Gallego, Mario
Start: 
1 January 2011
End: 
31 December 2013
Summary: 

The major objective of this project would be to develop improved actuators based on electroactive polymers (EAPs) with the appropriate nano/meso/micro structure and electromechanical properties. The project is based on the development of electroactive polymers controlling the distribution, structure and properties of the material by two distinct approaches and a combination of both. This will lead to the development of new processing routes and the improvement of the performance of the resulting polymeric materials. The characterisation of the microstructure and macroscopic properties in conjunction with the electromechanical properties will provide the fundamental knowledge required to reach a profound understanding of the developed materials. Due to the performance similarities of EAPs and biological muscles, the project will establish a biomimetic and bioinspired approach to the material development by looking and adapting nature's time-tested patterns and strategies.

Budget: 60.500 €

Reference: 
MAT2010-18749