Charge modeling of ionic polymer-metal composites for dynamic curvature sensing

Author(s):  
Yousef Bahramzadeh ◽  
Mohsen Shahinpoor
Author(s):  
Yousef Bahramzadeh ◽  
Mohsen Shahinpoor

Application of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) for curvature sensing and measurement of dynamic structures has been presented. IPMC’s are electro active polymers that exhibit the characteristics of both actuators and sensors. The flexibility of IPMC makes it possible to be applied both in small and large deflection applications. Developing a curvature sensor based on IPMC can be of high importance in a wide variety of fields including shape monitoring of deployable structures in which the curvature of structure varies during deployment process until it maintains a target curvature. In this article, in order to characterize the IPMC sensor properties for curvature sensing, various experimental procedures have been conducted including sensing response of IPMC sensor to sinusoidal and step deflections at different frequencies. The effect of voltage recovery of IPMC on sensing signal was studied by applying the deformation in the form of ramp functions at very slow rates of curvature variation. Experiments show that due to the linear response of IPMC sensor to curvature change at different rates, it could be potentially used as a sensitive curvature sensor for several structural applications.


2009 ◽  
Vol 419-420 ◽  
pp. 785-788
Author(s):  
Xiu Fen Ye ◽  
Yu Dong Su ◽  
Shu Xiang Guo

An Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMC) actuated 3D swimming microrobot is presented first. Inspired by biologic fins, passive plastic fin is attached to the IPMC strip to increase the thrust. Infrared sensors are equipped for wireless control and autonomous navigation. Then propulsive efficiency analyses are carried out. From the water electrolysis influence analysis of the IPMC, the best working voltage is confirmed. Finally, a two parts IPMC actuator is presented to improve the propulsive efficiency of the microrobot after the analysis of propulsive efficiency of caudal fin.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Farid ◽  
Zhao Gang ◽  
Tran Linh Khuong ◽  
Zhuang Zhi Sun ◽  
Naveed Ur Rehman ◽  
...  

Biomimetic is the field of engineering in which biological creatures and their functions are investigated and are used as the basis for the design and manufacturing of machines. Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) is a smart material which has demonstrated a meaningful bending and tip force after the application of a low voltage. It is light-weighted, flexible, easily actuated, multi-directional applicable and requires simple manufacturing. Resultantly, IPMC has attracted scientists and researchers to analyze it further and consider it for any industrial and biomimetic applications. Presently, the research on IPMC is bi-directional oriented. A few groups of researchers are busy to find out the causes for the weaknesses of the material and to find out any remedy for them. The second class of scientists is exploring new areas of applications where IPMC material can be used. Although, the application zone of IPMC is ranging from micropumps diaphragms to surgical holding devices, this paper provides an overview of the IPMC application in biomimetic and biomedical field.


2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Zhao ◽  
Zhuangzhi Sun ◽  
Huajun Guo ◽  
Jinxing Zheng ◽  
Haojun Wang ◽  
...  

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