With the list of editors and chapter authors reading like the "who′s who" of the soft materials transducer community, this is the only book on the topic to cover all relevant materials, their fundamental properties, and applications.
Consequently, it starts with a review of the principles that govern the behavior of these transducer materials, focusing on the coupling mechanisms between electrical and mechanical properties. The second part goes on to deal with the various soft materials that can be used in transducer devices, while the final section covers their applications in sensors and actuators. A unique approach is adopted throughout the work, with all the materials in question discussed using a common framework so as to highlight the differences and similarities.
The result is indispensable reading for materials scientists, sensor developers, electrical engineers, polymer chemists, and mechanical engineers.
Consequently, it starts with a review of the principles that govern the behavior of these transducer materials, focusing on the coupling mechanisms between electrical and mechanical properties. The second part goes on to deal with the various soft materials that can be used in transducer devices, while the final section covers their applications in sensors and actuators. A unique approach is adopted throughout the work, with all the materials in question discussed using a common framework so as to highlight the differences and similarities.
The result is indispensable reading for materials scientists, sensor developers, electrical engineers, polymer chemists, and mechanical engineers.
Table of Contents
PART I. FUNDAMENTALSPreface
From Maxwell′s Equations and Coulomb′s and Hooke′s Laws to Piezoelectricity, Electrostriction and Maxwell Stress
Coupling of Electrical and Mechanical Properties in Soft Matter
PART II. MATERIALS
Ionic Elastomers and Polymer Gels for Sensors and Actuators
Dielectric Elastomers (Electro–Electrets) –
Selection, Optimization and Preparation of Sensor and Actuator Materials
Polymeric Space–Charge Electrets
Polymer Ferro– and Piezo–Electrets –
Heterogeneous Materials with Macroscopic Dipoles
Piezo–, Pyro– and Ferroelectric Polymers
Relaxor Ferroelectric Polymers
Piezo–, Pyro– and Ferroelectricity in Ceramic–Polymer Composites
Specific Preparation Techniques and Characterization Methods for Soft Transducer Materials
PART III. APPLICATIONS
Commercial Device Applications
Comparison of the Various Soft Materials for Electromechanical Transducers, Concluding Remarks, and Outlook
