Improvement of foamed ionic polymer metal composites actuator

Research was carried out on a foamed ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) to improve actuation performance. Foamed IPMC is manufactured from a foamed membrane with micro-sized cells formed via a microcellular foaming process, which is a technology used to form and control micro-sized cells in plastics. We measured the changes in the blocked force and free bending displacement of foamed IPMC as the applied voltage increased. The maximum change in displacement was caused by a foaming rate of 20%. Finally, thick Nafion was fabricated via casting and foaming processes, and then tested.