This book provides a comprehensive and clearly structured introduction to the broad field of transducers and artificial muscles based on electromechanically active polymers (EAP), the goal being to present basic concepts and established knowledge in an accessible form. Its tutorial style and structure make this book an easy-to-use reference guide for students, researchers and practitioners alike. Different sections cover all categories of EAP materials, with separate chapters addressing the fundamentals, materials, device configurations, models, and applications, as well as operative guidelines on how to get started in experimentation with electromechanically active polymers. The functional and structural properties of EAP transducers are described and explained, and their broad range of applications in optics, acoustics, haptics, fluidics, automotive systems, robotics, orthotics, medical tools, artificial organs and energy harvesting is illustrated.Prepared under the aegis of the 'European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles', the book is the product of extensive collaborative efforts led by European researchers and involving respected experts from around the globe.

Federico Carpi, Pisa 1975, received the Laurea degree in Electronic Engineering, the Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering and a second Laurea degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Pisa, Italy, in 2001, 2005 and 2008, respectively. From 2000 to 2012, he has been with the University of Pisa, Interdepartmental Research Centre "E. Piaggio", School of Engineering, Italy. Since 2012, he serves as a Reader in Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials at Queen Mary University of London, School of Engineering and Materials Science. Dr Carpi is the Programme Director of the MSc in Medical Electronics and Physics and he is a member of the Institute of Bioengineering at Queen Mary College. Further, he is the President of "EuroEAP - European Society for Electromechanically Active Polymer Transducers & Artificial Muscles" (organizing the annual 'EuroEAP') and he coordinates the 'European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles - ESNAM, focused on transducers and artificial muscles based on electroactive polymers. His main research focus is on biomedical & bioinspired mechatronic devices made of soft smart materials. He is an Editorial Board member of four international journals, and member of the scientific committees of several conferences. His publications include some 60 articles in international journals, 2 edited books and several contributions to books and conferences.