To characterize the SCP actuator, a servo-controlled tensile/
strain testbed was developed. One end of an SCP actuator
is attached to the testbed base, while the opposite end is
attached to a load cell (LSP-2, 0-2N range, Transducer
Techniques). The load cell is mounted on a vertical motion
stage that is controlled by a DC servomotor, with a vertical
resolution of 0.01 mm. Electrical leads at the base and at
the load cell provide the voltage potential across the SCP
actuator.