Ionic electroactive polymer artificial muscles in space applications

• DOI: 10.1038/srep06913
• Publication Date: 2014-11-05T13:51:41Z
• Authors: Andres Punning; Kwang J. Kim; Viljar Palmre; Frédéric Vidal; Cédric Plesse; Nicolas Festin; Ali Maziz; Kinji Asaka; Takushi Sugino; Gursel Alici; Geoff Spinks; Gordon Wallace; Indrek Must; Inga Põldsalu; Veiko Vunder; Rauno Temmer; Karl Kruusamäe; Janno Torop; Friedrich Kaasik; Pille Rinne; Urmas Johanson; Anna-Liisa Peikol...; Tarmo Tamm; Alvo Aabloo
• Keywords: Space environment; Orbit (dynamics); Electroactive polymers

Abstract A large-scale effort was carried out to test the performance of seven types ionic electroactive polymer (IEAP) actuators in space-hazardous environmental factors laboratory conditions. The results substantiate that IEAP materials are tolerant long-term freezing and vacuum environments as well ionizing Gamma-, X-ray UV radiation at levels corresponding low Earth orbit (LEO) main aim this material behaviour investigation is understand predict device service time for prolonged exposure space environment.