Fabrication of electro-active polymer actuator composed of polypyrrole and solid-polymer electrolyte and its application to micropump

Mechanical performances of beam-shaped and bridge-shaped conductive polymer actuator in aqueous solution and in solid electrolyte have been measured and analyzed varying polymerization conditions and operating conditions. The optimum thickness of polypyrrole for the best bending performance is about 17-19 mu m which has been polymerized at the current density of 5.4 mu A/mm(2) for 120 minutes. For the application of conductive polymer actuator to micropump, silicon bulk micromachining process has been combined with polymer processes. By use of parylene diaphragm and anisotropic etching of silicon, the micropump structure composed of polypyrrole and solid polymer electrolyte has been fabricated successfully.