Lightweight elastomer films allow new applications

Clothes that can mimic the feeling of being touched, touch displays that provide haptic feedback to users or even ultralight loudspeakers. These are just some of the devices made possible using thin silicone films that can be precisely controlled so that they vibrate, flex, press or pull exactly as desired. And all done simply by applying an electrical voltage. The research teams of the Saarland University and the University of Applied Sciences Saar demonstrated at the international trade fair Hannover Messe how their smart film actuator technology is being made even more efficient, stable, sensitive and responsive.