Development of New Actuator System Based on Carbon Nanotubes

Bucky papers, sheets of carbon nanotubes, were the first macroscopic carbon nanotube actuators. However, due to their main disadvantage, which was need for the liquid electrolyte in the actuator system, further research and development was necessary. It resulted in the creation of novel carbon nanotube - polymer composite actuators, which owing to the integration of electrolyte into polymer matrix, can be operated at room conditions as so called "dry" actuators. Such actuators have been already successfully implemented into functional models bringing carbon nanotube actuator technology closer to industrial applications.