Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: McFry on January 18, 2007, 05:04:38 PM
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Hi All,
I've been looking for a substance with the following two traits:
- Expands in the presence of an electric current, and...
- Is transparent
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!!
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Try searching for piezoelectric materials. Here's a place to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity
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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 ;)
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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...
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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.