Electroactive polymers
A distinguishing feature of piezoelectric polymers is their electroactive nature. They undergo deformation under the action of an electric current or an electric field, and, conversely, generate an electric current under mechanical pressure. These are intelligent materials, capable of significant deformation. Available as powder, thin film or ink, these innovative polymers are being used increasingly in connected and interactive everyday devices (e.g. tactile watches and tablets).
Electroactive fluoropolymers, a technological and industrial revolution
Piezoelectric polymers have the particularity of being electroactive. They are deformed under the effect of an electric current or field and, conversely, generate current under the effect of mechanical pressure.
They are intelligent materials, capable of large deformations. In the form of powder, thin films or inks, these innovative polymers are gradually being found in everyday, connected and interactive objects (such as watches and touch tablets).
Thanks to the material resources made available and the know-how of Arkema's R&D research and development experts, Piezotech operates in an environment conducive to its application development.
A wide range of possible applications
Thanks to the material resources provided by the Group and the expertise of its R&D specialists, Piezotech operates in an environment that is conducive to developing its application further. Electroactive polymers have numerous and diverse application fields. As part of a textile, these polymers are able to make the item of clothing smart. The textile is comprised of countless sensors with sensory properties and so is able to transmit biomedical data about the wearer.
Piezoelectric polymers also have applications in medicine with the development of catheters and surgical guides which are steerable to the nearest millimeter. Eventually, these polymers will play a role in the development of haptic technologies (haptics is the science of touch, just as optics is to light and acoustics is to sound).
Our polymers will be part of wearable technologies – smart watches, glasses and even medical assistance devices embedded in clothing – providing specific haptic or sensory properties."
The boom in printed electronics
Printed electronics emerged a few years ago. A market with high growth potential, it offers an extensive range of possibilities for Piezotech polymers. Research in this field of applications is conducted jointly with CEA and Creative Papers (a world leader in technical paper).
Piezotech offers a unique range of electroactive inks that meet the needs of the actuator (devices that convert the energy provided into a usable physical phenomenon) and sensor industries. Hence, simple electronic components like transistors, sensors or connections can now be printed by using conductive inks and thin layers of electroactive polymers.
Therefore it is possible to manufacture electronic devices on flexible surfaces such as fabric, paper or flexible plastics. In the near future, a large number of applications will benefit from printed electronics: from smart labels to flexible screens to ultra thin sensors… Polymers have plenty of surprises in store!