Electromechanical Actuator Ribbons Driven by Electrically Conducting Spring-Like Fibers.

Electrically conducting fibers are woven into polymer ribbons to prepare electromechanical actuators. The ribbons generate a strain rate of more than 10(3) times that of typical electrochemical actuators, accompanied by a lower operating voltage and faster responsiveness compared to electrostatic and electrothermal actuators. Programmable actuation including bending, contraction, elongation, and rotation are shown with a high reversibility.