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Hydrogel Sensors and Actuators pp 221–248Cite as

Hydrogels for Actuators

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Part of the book series: Springer Series on Chemical Sensors and Biosensors ((SSSENSORS,volume 6))

Abstract

In microsystem technology research a material with such a diversity and significance like silicon in microelectronics has not been established for the last 20 years. Recently in microfluidics and in special imaging systems hydrogels get ready to take this place. Here we present a review on hydrogel based microsystems with actuator or sensor-actuator functionalities. Automatic microfluidic systems based on the sensor-actuator properties of hydrogels offer functionalities which have not been yet realised with other systems or actuators. The functional principles of the basic elements are described on the example of hydrodynamic transistors, pumps and tunable microlenses. In the field of microelectromechanical microfluidic systems hydrogels provide a unique multi-functionality. We describe the basic principles applied on an electronic control for hydrogel actuators and also on the basic components for microfluidics: microvalve, micropump and hydrodynamic transistors. Furthermore, the first hydrogel-based highly integrated microsystem, a high-resolution tactile display containing 4,225 individually controllable actuator pixels, is reviewed. In the last two Sections we discuss essential physical phenomena und design rules, which have to be considered to avoid malfunctions of the designed devices.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In this chapter the sensor-actuator functionality is sometimes described as actuator according to terms used in the literature. Please note that a sensor-actuator transforms non-mechanical energy into mechanical energy, whereas an actuator is typically controlled by electrics or electronics.

Abbreviations

LCST:

Lower critical solution temperature

MBAAm:

N, N´-methylenebis(acrylamide)

NC:

Normally closed

NO:

Normally open

n.s.:

Not specified

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

PNIPAAm:

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

A C :

Cross-section area of channel

c Alcohol :

Content of alcohol in aqueous solution

c EtOH :

Content of ethanol in aqueous solution

c Glucose :

Content of glucose in aqueous solution

c HxOH :

Content of hexanol in aqueous solution

c MeOH :

Content of methanol in aqueous solution

c NaCl :

Content of sodium chloride in aqueous solution

c PrOH :

Content of 1-propanol in aqueous solution

d :

Valve chamber length

d A :

Effective diffusion way of a bulk actuator

pH:

pH value

pk a :

pk value of acid

r P :

Particle radius

T :

Temperature

T g :

Glass transition temperature

T t :

Volume phase transition temperature

T Control :

Control temperature of hydrodynamic transistor

t:

Time

V :

Swollen volume of hydrogel

V 0,V dry :

dry volume of hydrogel

V C :

Valve chamber volume

V Gel :

Bulk volume of dry hydrogel particles

x:

Distance

Δd :

Difference of valve chamber length

ΔpH:

Difference of pH value

ΔT :

Temperature difference

Δx :

Displacement

Δd :

Difference of valve chamber length

ΔpH:

Difference of pH value

ΔT :

Temperature difference

Δx :

Displacement

λ:

Wavelength of light

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Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges the support for this work from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Collaborative Research Centre SFB 287 “Reactive Polymers”, Heisenberg fellowship). G. Paschew is thanked for carefully proof-reading the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Polymeric Microsystems, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Andreas Richter

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  1. Andreas Richter
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Correspondence to Andreas Richter .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fak. Elektrotechnik, TU Dresden, Helmholtzstr. 18, Dresden, 01069, Germany

    Gerald Gerlach

  2. Inst. Physikalische Chemie und, TU Dresden, Bergstr. 66 B, Dresden, 01069, Germany

    Karl-Friedrich Arndt

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Richter, A. (2009). Hydrogels for Actuators. In: Gerlach, G., Arndt, KF. (eds) Hydrogel Sensors and Actuators. Springer Series on Chemical Sensors and Biosensors, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75645-3_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-75645-3_7

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