Smart cellulose may mean paper airplanes that fly like butterflies

Electroactive polymer (EAP) cellulose is investigated for an ability to respond in a predictable manner to electrical impulses and the smart cellulose 'electroactive paper' (EAPap) is prepared using cellophane, a film of cellulose, with extremely thin gold electrodes deposited on both sides by vapor deposition. The EAPap actuators can be remotely driven using microwaves, making them attractive candidates for ultra-lightweight multifunctional applications, such as micro-insect robots, flapping wings for flying objects, smart wallpaper and microelectro-mechanical system.