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A WORLD
OF APPLICATIONS
Soon, our electroactive polymers will be all around us. In homes, in smart devices, in our cars. This technology opens up scope for new applications for electronics and completely recreates the experience of the man-machine interface. Here are a few examples that are not
as futuristic as they seem!
SMART FLOORS
In future, smart floors will guide us: No need for indiscreet cameras to make our buildings intelligent.
In offices, shopping malls and homes, piezoelectric, fine, flexible, standalone sensors will be embedded into carpets, tiles and floorboards. They will be able
to count the number of people and detect their movements in order to adjust the lighting, air conditioning and heating. In hospitals or at home for those at risk, they will be able to alert the emergency services in case of falls
or abnormal movements.
SENSORS FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
The new sustainable energy revolution
is here, in the form of batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and hydrogen tanks. Electroactive polymers incorporated into materials will be able
to monitor wear and tear, faults,
and impacts, and measure their temperatures or expansion so that they can be replaced at the right time. This will ensure a longer lifetime for these renewable energies and, importantly, keep us safer!
SENSORS
TO MONITOR HEALTH
To read a pulse or measure blood pressure or temperature, these materials are incorporated into watches, bracelets, pillows, sheets, and clothing.
A SMART GLOVE TO FEEL WHAT YOU SEE
Progress in augmented and virtual reality is paving the way for new, highly realistic touch sensations in video games. Equipped with headsets and smart gloves which have electroactive polymers embedded in the materials, users will be able to feel the movements, vibrations, weight, and texture of objects that feature in their games. They offer an immersive experience that is more vivid than reality!
ACTUATORS EMBEDDED INTO THE SURFACE OF DASHBOARDS
No more need for controls and buttons on dashboards.
They will soon become smooth, fully intelligent, ultra-sensitive surfaces,
with thin, lightweight sensors and actuators incorporated directly into the material. To switch on the radio, air con or headlamps, you will simply need to touch the dashboard, which will provide haptic feedback – a vibration at the exact location touched, so that the driver knows all is well without needing to take their eyes off the road.
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