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Abstract:
Project is aimed at developing novel electro-active polymer-based nanocomposite materials and actuators

Micromuscle partner in development of new nanotechnology-based electro-active polymers

Posted on January 27, 2006

Micromuscle will take part in the Finnish research project ELCOMPO. The project is aimed at developing novel electro-active polymer-based nanocomposite materials and actuators. The project also seeks to develop high-value applications that can be commercialized within areas such as medical technology, robotics and advanced consumer products.

The research program is launched as a Finnish initiative to take part in the rapid progress and commercialization of electro-active polymers (EAP). Several materials companies are involved in the project which is carried out as a cooperation between three research institutes led by VTT, Technical Research Centre of Finland. Micromuscle's role will be to provide expertise and guidance on EAP materials and actuators, especially within medical applications which is a key area of the project. The ELCOMPO project will run for three years with an estimated budget of €1.1 million and is funded by Tekes, the National Technology Agency of Finland.

"Micromuscle will not perform any (of our) own R&D during the project but we expect the findings from the project to be useful for us," says Edwin Jager, CTO Micromuscle. "The possible improvements in EAP performance will give us possibilities for new and more advanced medical products. Micromuscle needs to partner in various research projects to advance our EAP technology and find new applications. The integration of nanotechnology and electro-active polymers is also a very interesting approach for the future," continues Edwin Jager.

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About Micromuscle AB:
Micromuscle AB (Linköping, Sweden) develops electro-active polymer technology for use in medical and life science applications. The Company holds a strong IPR portfolio including patents and patent applications. Micromuscle focuses on vascular applications where EAP has considerable potential and enables new functionality for medical devices.

Electro-active polymers are an emerging class of advanced materials with new revolutionary properties. A primary advantage of EAP is the possibility to electrically control their behaviour and properties. The electro-active polymers used by Micromuscle are characterized by their ability to swell and contract in response to a small applied voltage. This enables construction of small, moving and force-exerting components, also called actuators or micromuscles.

Micromuscle was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from leading research on conducting polymers at Linköping University. The main shareholders of Micromuscle are Industrifonden, CIMON Medical and Iteksa Venture.

For more information, please click here.

About VTT:
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a contract research organization with 2800 employees and an annual turnover of about 210 million euros. VTT provides a wide range of technology and applied research services for private companies, institutions and the public sector. VTT performs R&D within a range of sectors such as biotechnology, pulp and paper and electronics. VTT also has a strong background from research in the areas of polymers, smart materials and electrically conducting polymers.

For more information, please click here.

About Tekes:
Tekes, the National Technology Agency is the main public financing and expert organisation for research and technological development in Finland. Tekes finances industrial R&D projects as well as projects in universities and research institutes. Tekes especially promotes innovative, risk-intensive projects. Tekes finances several nanotechnology projects, one of which is the ELCOMPO project.

For more information, please click here.

About EAP Technology:
Micromuscle's electro-active polymer technology is based on the discovery of conducting polymers, i.e. plastics capable of conducting electricity. The discovery of conducting polymers was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2000. Electro-active polymers have many new properties, for example these polymers can respond to electrical stimulation with a shape or size change.

Within the medical field, these features have opened up new possibilities. The Micromuscle EAP technology can be incorporated into medical devices and enables completely new functionality by performing a wide range of functions, such as controlling the movement and mechanical properties of medical devices, anchoring of devices inside vascular areas, blocking, holding and releasing objects etc.

Contact:
Edwin Jager
Chief Technical Officer
+46 703 60 14 90
edwin.jager@micromuscle.com
www.micromuscle.com

Media Contact:
Daniel Carlsson
daniel.carlsson@micromuscle.com

Copyright © Micromuscle AB

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