Application of the Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite sensor array in displacement measurement

An Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (abbr. IPMC) is a type of a smart material consisting of two layers of noble metal and an ion-conducting layer between them. Smart ma- terials are generally capable of actuating and sensing. Mechanical deformation of the IPMC beam produces an electric potential difference (in the order of mV) proportional to the tip displacement on the electrodes. In this paper, the sensing capabilities of IPMC samples will be investigated. The composites are manufactured in a form of a thin (0.3 mm) plate, which are cut into rectangular samples. Tests will be performed on separate samples and two electrically connected samples. Response to various frequencies will be tested for each sample and for two mechanically and electrically coupled samples, creating a simple sensor array.