Linear approximate dynamic model of ICPF (ionic conducting polymer gel film) actuator

The ionic conducting polymer gel film (ICPF) actuator is a perfluorosulfonic acid membrane plated with platinum on its both surfaces. It bends in water and in wet condition by applying a low voltage of 1.5 V to its surfaces. This phenomenon was discovered in 1992. The principle of the motion is still unknown. This paper discusses 2-dimensional linear approximate modelling of the ICPF actuator. The authors are proposing a dynamic model of the actuator consisting of an electrical stage, a stress generation stage and mechanical stage. In the stress generation stage, time derivative of current generates the internal stress with a second degree delay. Expansion and contraction of each surface induce bending motion in the mechanical stage. Simulation results were in agreement with actual responses.