Aromatic chemistry for the creation of polymer actuators

ORGN 544

Timothy M. Swager, tswager@mit.edu, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
I will discuss our efforts in the design of conducting polymers to be used as actuating materials. For sensory materials I will describe how we utilize molecular recognition events to produce changes in conductivity. The role of dimensionality has important consequences for sensitivity and I will detail approaches to create insulated nanoscopic conduction pathways. I will present novel electroactive materials for actuator applications. In this effort we have developed new mechanisms for causing large dimensional changes in polymers by design of mechanical linkages and electronic properties. Actuator applications are very demanding and require the integration of multiple materials and I will present methods for the creation of carbon nanotube/conducting polymer hybrids.