3-dimensional dynamic model of ionic conducting polymer gel film (ICPF) actuator

In this paper, a 3-dimensional model of the ICPF actuator and its experimental verifications are investigated. The 3-dimensional model was build based on the same strategy as 2-dimensional modeling. Experiments using an actuator, that has smaller aspect ratio than that for conventional experiments, for verifications of the 3-dimensional model were carried out. As experimental results, the followings became clear. The ICPF actuator bends in all direction as expected, and it has different frequency characteristics at each points on the surface. Although displacement contours on the surface have no remarkable regularity, the point where generates the largest displacement were generally the apexes at the tip. In addition, it gave a rolling-up shape at the tip in the direction of bending at the displacement peaks. However, the simulational results did not always agree with the experimental results. More precise examinations are necessary in future to conclude the issue.