Development of a prototype of variable stiffness ion conductive polymer actuator with a shape memory polymer

Abstract

In this study, we have developed a variable stiffness ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) integrated with a shape memory polymer (SMP) the stiffness of which is controlled by environmental temperature. The experimental results show that the proposed actuator enabled to control and maintain its deformation by changing the stiffness. Therefore, the usability of the proposed actuator was confirmed.