Hydrogel Sensors and Actuators: Engineering and Technology

Hydrogels are a fascinating class of polymers which show an immense ability of swelling under the influence of temperature, pH value or concentrations of different species in aqueous solutions. The volume change can amount up to several hundred percent. This unique behaviour is already used in such applications like disposable diapers, contact lenses or drug-delivery systems.

The ability to perform mechanical work has been shifted the technical interest more and more towards sensors and ac...