elektroaktive

Elektroaktive, or electroactive materials, are substances and structures that undergo a reversible change in one or more properties under an electric stimulus. The changes are typically mechanical (shape, displacement, stiffness), but may also involve electrical or chemical state. The term covers several material classes and actuation mechanisms and is widely used in the fields of smart materials, soft robotics, sensors, and adaptive devices.

Common categories include dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs); ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMCs); conducting polymers; piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials; electrochemical actuators; and electroactive liquid crystal or shape-memory polymers. These materials can convert electrical energy into mechanical work, or alter their mechanical properties in response to voltage, current, or ion movement.

Applications span soft robotics, microelectromechanical systems, haptics, adaptive optics, biomedical devices, and energy harvesting concepts that couple mechanical and electrical functions. Electroactive materials enable compact, compliant actuation and can operate without traditional hydraulic or pneumatic systems, making them attractive for miniature and flexible devices.

Advantages and challenges: electroactive materials can provide large strains at relatively low forces and enable lightweight, integrated actuation. Limitations include high driving voltages for some dielectric systems, slower response for others, material fatigue, hysteresis, saturation, and environmental sensitivity. Integrating these materials with power electronics, encapsulation, and system-level reliability remains an active area of research.

In terminology, electroactive polymers are a common subset; the broader term elektroaktive emphasizes electrical actuation across diverse material families, including elastomeric polymers, ceramics, and composites.