Development of electro-active polymer (EAP) for biomedical application

• Main Author: Sim, Deborah Lay Peng.
• Other Authors: Boey Yin Chiang, Freddy
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Biomaterials
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/15634
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Electroactive polymers (EAP) are widely used in many areas, such as actuators, sensors and transducers. Among the different type of electronic EAP, PVDF-TrFE based ferroelectric electrictive polymer gain much attention due to their high strain level and high elastic energy density. Recently, the use of EAP as artificial muscles has gained significant attention, however few researchers concentrated on the study of PVDF-TrFE for biomedical application. In this thesis, we will focus on the development and optimizing of PVDF-TrFE on its electromechanical response. Research objectives were (1) develop a protocol for fabricating inexpensive EAP (PVDF-TrFE), (2) study the thermal and electrical properties of the solvent-cast film (3) exploring the influent of solvent used on the surface morphology of the film (4) measurement of displacement of the film with the help of the custom-made device (5) eventually to understand the displacement affecting the cell behavior (proliferation, adhesion, spreading or differentiation). This is a necessary prerequisite for the development of novel methods to control cell-materials and eventually biomaterial interactions.