@article {2242,
	title = {Enabling variable-stiffness hand rehabilitation orthoses with dielectric elastomer transducers},
	journal = {Medical Engineering and Physics},
	volume = {36},
	year = {2014},
	pages = {205{\textendash}211},
	abstract = {<p>Patients affected by motor disorders of the hand and having residual voluntary movements of fingers or wrist can benefit from self-rehabilitation exercises performed with so-called dynamic hand splints. These systems consist of orthoses equipped with elastic cords or springs, which either provide a sustained stretch or resist voluntary movements of fingers or wrist. These simple systems are limited by the impossibility of modulating the mechanical stiffness. This limitation does not allow for customizations and real-time control of the training exercise, which would improve the rehabilitation efficacy. To overcome this limitation, {\textquoteright}active{\textquoteright} orthoses equipped with devices that allow for electrical control of the mechanical stiffness are needed. Here, we report on a solution that relies on compact and light-weight electroactive elastic transducers that replace the passive elastic components. We developed a variable-stiffness transducer made of dielectric elastomers, as the most performing types of electromechanically active polymers. The transducer was manufactured with a silicone film and tested with a purposely-developed stiffness control strategy that allowed for electrical modulations of the force-elongation response. Results showed that the proposed new technology is a promising and viable solution to develop electrically controllable dynamic hand orthoses for hand rehabilitation. ? 2013 IPEM.</p>
},
	doi = {10.1016/j.medengphy.2013.10.015},
	author = {F. Carpi and G. Frediani and C. Gerboni and J. Gemignani and D. De Rossi}
}
@conference {2012,
	title = {Electroactive polymer patches for wearable haptic interfaces},
	booktitle = {Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society EMBC{\textquoteright}11},
	year = {2011},
	pages = {8369{\textendash}8372},
	doi = {10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6092064},
	url = {http://dx.medra.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2011.6092064},
	author = {D. De Rossi and F. Carpi and N. Carbonaro and A. Tognetti and E. P. Scilingo}
}
@inbook {DCLPST05,
	title = {Electroactive fabrics and wearable man-machine interfaces},
	booktitle = {Wearable Electronics and Photonics},
	year = {2005},
	pages = {59-80},
	publisher = {Woodhead Publishing Ltd},
	organization = {Woodhead Publishing Ltd},
	keywords = {Bioengineering},
	author = {D. De Rossi and F. Carpi and F. Lorussi and R. Paradiso and E. P. Scilingo and A. Tognetti}
}
@article {DCLMPS03,
	title = {Electroactive Fabrics And Wearable Biomonitoring Devices},
	journal = {AUTEX Research Journal},
	volume = {3},
	number = {4},
	year = {2003},
	month = {December},
	pages = {180-185},
	keywords = {Bioengineering},
	author = {D. De Rossi and F. Carpi and F. Lorussi and A. Mazzoldi and R. Paradiso and E. P. Scilingo and A. Tognetti}
}
@conference {DCLMST-02,
	title = {Electroactive Fabrics for Distributed, Conformable and Interactive Systems},
	booktitle = {The first IEEE International Conference on Sensors},
	year = {2002},
	month = {June},
	pages = {1608-1613},
	address = {Orlando, Florida},
	keywords = {Bioengineering},
	author = {D. De Rossi and F. Carpi and F. Lorussi and A. Mazzoldi and E. P. Scilingo and A. Tognetti}
}
@conference {DCLMST-02,
	title = {Electroactive Fibers and Fabrics for Distributed, Conformable and Interactive Systems},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the First European Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring},
	year = {2002},
	month = {July},
	address = {Cachan, France},
	keywords = {Bioengineering},
	author = {D. De Rossi and F. Carpi and F. Lorussi and A. Mazzoldi and E. P. Scilingo and A. Tognetti}
}
@conference {CLMPS-01,
	title = {Electroactive polymer based skin and muscles for man machine interfaces},
	booktitle = {MRS Fall Meeting},
	year = {2001},
	month = {December},
	address = {Boston, USA},
	keywords = {Man-machine Interface},
	author = {F. Carpi and F. Lorussi and A. Mazzoldi and G. Pioggia and E. P. Scilingo}
}
