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Polymer Gels as EAPs: Applications

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Electromechanically Active Polymers

Part of the book series: Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series ((POPOC))

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Abstract

Stimuli-responsive hydrogels display a variety of interesting features that make them ideal candidates for technological applications. The applicable stimuli range from temperature, pH, and (bio)chemical species to electric fields and light; some materials can even be controlled by multiple stimuli. Hydrogel materials can be synthesized by a single-step free-radical polymerization, and various methods to introduce them into a final system are discussed. This chapter covers applications of smart hydrogels in various (micro-)systems starting from transparent conductors over stimuli-sensitive optical components and drug delivery devices for medical applications. Intensively discussed are microfluidic applications starting from single components as thermostats, chemostats, and valves toward complex integrated systems. Finally, we outline the implications of autonomous microfluidic devices to the field of chemical information processing.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. TU Dresden, Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Martin Elstner

  2. Institute of Semiconductors and Microsystems, Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dresden University of Technology and Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Andreas Richter

Authors
  1. Martin Elstner
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  2. Andreas Richter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin Elstner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School Engineering & Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom

    Federico Carpi

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Elstner, M., Richter, A. (2016). Polymer Gels as EAPs: Applications. In: Carpi, F. (eds) Electromechanically Active Polymers. Polymers and Polymeric Composites: A Reference Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31530-0_4

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