Comparative studies of electric- and magnetic-field-sensitive polymer gels

In this paper we give a summary of the effects of electric field on the shape and motility of polymer gels. We look over the advantages and disadvantages of the different stimuli from the applicability point of view. We also present the characteristic features of shape distortion of magnetic field sensitive gels which have been developed in our laboratory. A comparative study has been performed on the efficiency of biological muscles and magnetic gels. A simplified model for ferrogels functioning as artificial muscles is also presented.