Utilization of electroactive polymer actuators in micromixing and in extended-life biosensor applications

Abstract

Polypyrrole (PPy)-based microactuators hold a promise for a wide variety of engineering applications from robotics and microassembly to biosensors and drug delivery systems. The main advantages of using PPy/Au actuator structures (vs competing solid-state actuator technologies) include ease of fabrication, low actuation energy, and large motion range of microactuators. We present advances in two areas of application - in the extended-life biosensor platform and in micromixers.