Here we introduce a high-resolution tactile display based on the integration of 4,320 actuators with a density of about 300 actuators per cm² into an array displaying both visual and tactile information. The actuators are fabricated simultaneously by UV-patterning. Intrinsically active polymers called "smart hydrogels" are used as actuators which are sensitive to changes in temperature. The high resolution temperature field is controlled by a computer using an optical interface that is controlled by a computer. Thus the temperature is adjusted for each actuator and it can be independently controlled. An actuator pixel changes color from transparent to opaque providing a visual monochrome functionality. The altitude and the elasticity change as well. Therefore the tactile display is able to generate artificial impressions about contours, textures, profiles and the softness of a surface. The actuators are covered by a thin foil equipped with knobs, which can additionally vary the tactile impressions. For fabrication an inexpensive modified dry photoresist technology was used for the masters of up to (200 × 155) mm². This device demonstrates a high integration into MEMS with a monolithically fabricated actuator array of temperature-sensitive active polymer and an optoelectronic control.

Date Published: 9 April 2010
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 7642, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010, 764234 (9 April 2010); doi: 10.1117/12.848811

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7642:
Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010
Yoseph Bar-Cohen, Editor(s)