Electroactive papers: possibility as actuators

ABSTRACT This paper examines the possibility of the Electro-Active Papers (EAPap) as actuators. EAPap was prepared bygluing two silver laminated papers in opposite direction so as to constitute electrodes outside. When an electric voltage wasapplied on the electrodes the EAPap produces bending displacement. The performance of the EAPap is dependent on the glue types. applied voltage and excitation frequency. To investigate the operational principle of the EAPap, some experiments were conducted with different adhesives and host papers, and we believe that it is based on the electrostrictioneffect associated with a combination of the electrostatic force of electrodes and the intermolecular interaction of theadhesive. Further investigations to improve and stabilize the EAPap properties are necessary and some remarks for futureresearch are provided. Since the EAPap are quite simple to fabricate and lightweight, various fields of them are applicable,i.e, flexible speakers, active sound absorbing materials and smart shape control devices.Keywords: Electro-Active Papers (EAPap), Large Displacement Actuators, Lightweight Actuators, Active SoundAbsorbing Materials