Smart materials convert energy from one form to another, particularly into electrical energy but also into mechanical and thermal forms, making them an important type of material, from fundamental physics to device applications. Smart polymer materials are very attractive due to their flexibility, low-cost production and easy processability. In fact, many newly developed polymer-based smart materials exhibit better performance than inorganic materials, with higher strain responses and energy density. Recent developments in electronics, however, challenge smart polymer materials in areas such as dielectric and electric properties in nano- and microscale. This volume presents recent research on polymer-based smart materials, as well as commercial advances and needs. It focuses on materials development, characterization, processing, manufacturing, analysis, design and applications. Topics include: new materials and characterization; device application; new materials and devices; and E-NSF and new materials.

Increasing research and development efforts have been dedicated to the field of electroresponsive polymers (ERPs), including the development of materials and devices. In addition to their exceptional physical properties and low manufacturing costs, these materials also show remarkable charge storage and electrical properties. One particular class of these materials is the electroactive polymer (EAP), or artificial muscle - a new type of smart material with a broad range of potential applications such as electromechanical devices, energy storage devices, artificial muscles, air filtration, insulation, etc. This book shows research and commercial advances in the field and highlights the significant industry involvement: 3M is implementing piezomaterials in stethoscopes; Measurement Specialties Inc. highlights a range products employing PVDF sensors and EMFIT Ltd. presents ferroelectrets, in which microporous polymers show a piezoelectric coefficient at the level of 300 pC/N. Additional topics include: sensors and their applications; polymer actuators and their applications; and polymer dielectrics and charge storage applications.