An electrostrictive polymer actuator control system

If we install an electrode such as conductive grease or carbon powder in both sides of an electrostrictive polymer film, then it becomes a parallel-plate capacitor using electrostrictive polymer as dielectric. When the voltage is applied to electrodes, charges are piled up on the electrodes. Then, there is an attractive force between charges in the anode and cathode. This force acts as pressure in the direction of thickness, so electrostrictive polymer expands in the direction of area by its incompressible characteristic. When the voltage is off, electrostrictive polymer returns to its original shape. In this paper, we realize an electrostrictive polymer actuator using the deformation of electrostrictive polymer, and design and implement the control system of this actuator. Using this control system, we analyzed its actuation and motion control. In order to do that, we analyzed the relations between voltage and displacement. Also, the characteristics of this actuator were measured under some control techniques.