Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2008 · 12 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceActuatorsMicrofabricationPolymer MaterialsComposite MaterialsIonic PolymersPolymer CompositesPolymer NanocompositesPolymer Thin FilmsSoft ActuatorsBendingDisplacementIonic Polymer - Metal CompositesIonic Polymer-metal Composite ActuatorsIonic Polymer-metal CompositesLarge-displacement ActuationPlasma TreatmentPower Consumption
Step-motor, piezo, liquid lens and voice coil motor (VCM) have been thought as good candidates for actuators in auto-focusing compact camera module (CCM). Currently, VCMs take possession of big place in auto-focusing CCM market. However, VCMs have limitations in developing thin, low-power CCMs. Therefore, ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) could be thought as one of the best candidates in developing auto-focusing CCM due to their well-known characteristics such as low-power consumption and large displacement. It is required that fast bending response (20 μm/20 ms) and large blocking force (800 mgf) should be achieved for the practical applications of IPMCs in developing auto-focusing CCM. Here, we present the method for increasing IPMC's bending response and displacement by anisotropic plasma treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrate the fabrication of a prototype of CCM actuated by IPMC and its remarkable low power consumption.