Mechanisms for pre-stretching electro-active polymers by a pre-determined amount and methods of use thereof

An active compression device, comprising:

• at least one housing having a pre-determined physical structure;
• at least one electro-active polymer (EAP) film having a first edge that is fixed within the at least one housing;
• at least one pulling mechanism that is connected to a first edge of to a second edge of the at least one EAP film;
• wherein the first edge and the second edge of the at least one EAP film are opposite of each other;
• wherein a second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism extends outside of the at least one housing;
• wherein the at least one pulling mechanism is configured to allow sufficient pulling at the second edge of the at least one pulling mechanism to form at least one pre-stretched EAP film that has been stretched in a first axial direction within the at least one housing by a first pre-determined, pre-stretched amount;
• and
• wherein the pre-determined, pre-stretched amount is limited by the pre-determined physical structure of the at least one housing.