The study of electroactive polymers, i.e., the ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, dielectric and electrostrictive properties of polymers, is both an important and exciting area of scientific inquiry. In the Polymer Electroprocessing Laboratory of the Department of chemical and Biochemical Engineering, we have discovered the importance of electroprocessing the thermal, mechanical, chemical and electric field history of a polymer to a polymers ability to express desired electroactive properties. The discovery of the second known class of ferroelectric polymers the odd and odd-odd numbered nylons.
Interfacial effects result in a large enhancement in piezoelectric response.
The discovery of the enormous electrostrictive response available in certain polyurethane thermoplastic elastomers. These discoveries, along with investigations of the significant piezoelectric response of bovine and human sclera a collagen hydrogel and the study of the effect of moisture on the piezoelectric properties of the nylons, have led to important applications in the areas of smart materials and sensors. Article in Polymer Data Handbook, 949-955, Jerry I Scheinbeim, Ed. J. Polymer Sci., Phys. J. Polymer Sci., Phys.