EAP Newsletter 2-1.PDF

The Editor’s challenge to develop an EAP robotic hand that can win against a human in an arm wrestling match is continuing to be a distant possibility. However, as can be seen from this 3rd issue of the WW-EAP Newsletter, there has been a significant progress in the field of EAP towards making practical actuators. A growing number of organizations are now exploring potential applications for EAP. Some of the mechanisms and devices that are being considered are related to aerospace, automotive, medical, animation, toys, entertainment, exoskeletons, articulation mechanisms, robotics, noise control, haptic interfaces, and smart structures. To further assist in promoting collaboration among developers and potential users of the technology a series of WWEAP websites were added to the current Webhub. These websites were initiated in response to direct inquiries received by the Editor. Some of these websites include: EAP in action Videos, EAP Recipes, EAP References, and Significant Events. Further, in response to the call that was made in the previous issue of this Newsletter, Osaka National Research Institute has contributed an IPMC sample for inclusion in the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) of the International Space Station (ISS). This experiment will provide an opportunity to determine the various effects of long-term exposure to the harsh conditions of space environment. FIGURE 2: Dielectric actuator demonstrated by SRI International at the SPIE EAPAD 2000 Conference.