Numerical Solution of Multiphysics Large Deflection Plates for Ionic Polymeric Artificial Muscle Applications

Recent advances in the manufacturing of new materials that can by activated by multifield excitation have introduced the need for modeling their multiphysics behavior. In responding to this need the special case of electric multihygrothermoelasticity is being considered as the closest multiphysics theory for modeling the behavior electro-hygrothermo-elasto-active materials utilized in artificial muscle applications. Furthermore, the system of governing partial differential equations describing the state evolution of large deflection plates made from such materials is derived as a twodimensional specialization of the above mentioned theory. These electro-hygro-thermally modified Von-Karman nonlinear equations are solved numerically through an adaptive finite element approach and preliminary results are presented for the case of a rectangular ionic polymeric material plate under various boundary conditions. Finally, various issues associated with the regimes of applicability of this theory and approach are also presented.