ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED MECHANOCHEMICAL DEVICES USING POLYELECTROLYTE GELS
We report the first model of electrically activated mechanochemical system made of polyelectrolyte gels which contracts, oscillates, and bends reversibly. On the basis of this principle a variety of devices which function under electric stimulus, i.e., a “chemical valve” membrane expanding and contracting the pore size, a switching oscillating 15 to 100 times per minute, and a composite bending like “bimetal” were developed.