Abstract
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This study presents the results and implications of
our experimental investigation into quantifying the positioning
resolution of cantilever-type electroactive polymer actuators.
The experimental results and their analysis suggest that using
small inputs in the order of 1 mV, resolvable and reproducible
movements of ~0.5 m could be discerned. This result is equal
to the limit of reading of the device (a laser displacement
sensor) used to measure the actuators’ position. We conclude
that the true resolution must be equal to or less than 0.5 m.
Such information is very important for the application of these
emerging actuators, particularly for applications where precise
positioning is needed. This methodology can be extended to
other similar cantilever type of polymer actuators and tested
with a position sensor with a better resolution to determine
their ultimate resolution. This study is the first exploration of
the minimum displacement that can be generated by such
actuators.