The application of polypyrrole trilayer actuators in microfluidics and robotics

Trilayer actuators were constructed using polypyrrole (PPy) films doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS). Identical 5-20 μm PPy/DBS films were grown on either side of a 110 μm poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane to serve as working and counter electrodes with respect to each other. The performance of the trilayer actuator was tested using potential step experiments between -0.8 and +0.8 V at different frequencies (0.03 to 10 Hz) and trilayer lengths (1 to 2.5 cm), and the extent of deflection was measured using a CCD camera. Satisfactory deflections in the range of 1-3 mm were observed for 10 μm thick PPy layers on trilayers 1.5 to 2.5 cm in length when operated at 1-5 Hz for over 40,000 cycles. The trilayer actuators were examined in a fluidics channels, and mathematical modelling using finite element analysis was used to predict overall fluid movement and flow rates. The trilayers were also used to construct a 'fish-tail' positioned at the back of a self-driven robotic fish.

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