Abstract: Ionomeric polymer sensors, actuators, and transducers and methods for fabricating them are disclosed. One embodiment of the sensors, actuators, and transducers possess a high surface area electrode layer that is applied by hot pressing and a highly conductive surface layer. Another embodiment of these sensors, actuators, and transducers possess a high surface area electrode layer that is penetrated by electronically conductive nanowires. Methods for fabricating these sensors, actuators, and transducers are disclosed. These methods involve the formation of the high surface area layer from a liquid mixture that contains ionomeric polymer, electronically conductive particles, and possibly diluent. This mixture is formed into layers either directly on an ionomeric polymer, on a separate transfer decal, or on an electronically conductive layer. This electronically conductive layer may also include an array of nanowires. These electrode layers are then attached to an ionomeric polymer membrane by hot pressing.