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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: McFry on January 18, 2007, 05:04:38 PM

Title: Substance Which Expands With Electric Current?
Post by: McFry on January 18, 2007, 05:04:38 PM
Hi All,

I've been looking for a substance with the following two traits:

I've scoured the web but I don't believe I've been using the appropriate terminology when searching (I have a lay understanding of chemistry). If any of you know of a material with these traits or have advice to offer to help me in my search, I'd be very interested to hear!

Many Thanks!!
Title: Re: Substance Which Expands With Electric Current?
Post by: Yggdrasil on January 18, 2007, 05:32:53 PM
Try searching for piezoelectric materials.  Here's a place to start:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity
Title: Re: Substance Which Expands With Electric Current?
Post by: McFry on January 18, 2007, 06:25:36 PM
Thanks!  :D

Piezoelectric materials are a great start but since it looks most most reverse piezoelectric reactions only cause a change in shape by a marginal amount (e.g. .1%), I'm looking for a substance which operates with greater efficiency (at least 2 orders of magnitude).

At least I'm starting to pick up the terminology ;)
Title: Re: Substance Which Expands With Electric Current?
Post by: McFry on January 18, 2007, 08:18:49 PM
Some more searching has led me to Dielectric Electroactive Polymers (the stuff they use for artificial muscles) but while they have low-power requirements and are efficient, they don't seem cheap to make OR transparent (but I could be wrong about this).

Any idea where they may sell samples of this stuff (maybe it's in a science fair project kit or something)?

I'll keep looking...
Title: Re: Substance Which Expands With Electric Current?
Post by: billnotgatez on January 20, 2007, 07:47:12 AM
http://www.robotstore.com/

You may have to make something that is clear which is stretched with something like muscle wire. You may need to rely on some mechanical engineering as well as chemistry.