Development of microactuators using photopatternable ionic gel

We developed a photopatternable ionic gel to make soft microactuators driven at low voltage under atmosphere. A prototype of microactuator using the photopatternable ionic gel was produced and driven by applying voltage of below plusmn1.5V under atmosphere. The driving performance of the microactuator was examined experimentally. The maximum displacement of the actuator was proportional to input voltage. It was demonstrated real-time displacement of the actuator was proportional to the integration value of input current. This feature is useful for precise real-time position control of the actuator.