Quick Post: Video- Electroactive Polymers (EAP) for a Robot Head; link to OpenMaterials.org

Electroactive Polymer Robot Head


For more information:  
Electroactive Polymers (EAP) as Artificial Muscles (EPAM) for Robotic Applications
Wikipedia:  Electroactive Polymers

Electroactive Polymers Robot "Flying Fish" Transparent Blimp

"The worldwide first EAP propelled airship was made at Empa in collaboration with aeroix GmbH and the Technical University of Berlin. This lighter-than-air vehicle with 8 m in length consists of a slightly pressurized Helium filled body of a biologically inspired form with Dielectric Elastomer (DE) actuators acting as muscles and deforming the body and tail fin in a fish-like manner."


I wonder if the Blimp's surface could be transformed for interactive ads....I'm sure someone is working on this now!

RELATED
OpenMaterials.org (This is a rabbit hole I'll need to explore further.)

"OpenMaterials is a research group dedicated to open investigation and experimentation with DIY production methods and uses of materials.

In the spirit of the open source software and hardware movements, we hope to promote materials to be researched and developed in a public, collaborative manner. We see materials as an open resource, and wish to establish an open process for exploring and sharing knowledge, techniques and applications related to materials science."

Smart & Adaptive Polymer Lab, University of Toronto

SOMEWHAT RELATED
Last night I dreamt about haptic touch-screen overlays... (IMT post from about a year ago that focuses on haptic/tactile feedback, electroactive polymers, and nano-materials.)

For a smile:  "Musical Heads" Watch the Neurosonics Audiomedical" video (via Chris O'Shea)