NER: Manipulation of Aggregate Organization in Ionic Polymers to Elucidate and Enhance Morphology-Actuation Relationships in Nanostructured Electroactive Polymer Systems

该项目涉及纳米结构，离子聚合物金属复合材料，能够在弱电场的应用下进行机械运动。像真正的肌肉组织一样，这些合成材料会对电刺激做出反应，从而模仿自然的人造肌肉。这些独特的纳米复合材料的驱动行为源于离子聚合物外层（电极层）附近导电金属纳米颗粒的形成，这些纳米颗粒刺激离子/溶剂通过纳米结构的离子传输域迁移。在这个项目中，聚合物膜中离子域的纳米级组织将被改变，以类似于实际肌肉组织的纤维状结构的形式和功能的方式创造各向异性驱动行为。通过控制这些人造肌肉的纳米级结构，将开发关于形态-驱动特性关系的新的基础信息，从而发现这些活性纳米结构的精确驱动机制。通过一种受生物启发的方法，该项目雄辩地证明了理解纳米科学和技术在创造能够在形式和功能上模仿自然母亲的合成材料方面的深刻重要性。由于这些人造肌肉的许多应用被设想（从生物机械植入物到能量转换装置），这项研究将提供定制纳米结构所需的关键信息，以适应特定的宏观特征。由于人造肌肉研究对广泛的受众具有内在的广泛吸引力，研究结果将作为为K-12学生，本科生和毕业生开发推广和教育材料的理想工具。

This project involves nanostructured, ionic polymer metal composites that are capable of mechanical motion with application of a weak electric field. Like actual muscle tissue, these synthetic materials move in response to an electrical stimulus, and thus mimic nature as artificial muscles. The actuation behavior of these unique nanocomposites originates from the formation of electrically-conducting metal nanoparticles near the outer layers of the ionic polymer (electrode layers) that stimulate ion/solvent migration through nanostructured, ion-transporting domains. In this project, the nanoscale organization of ionic domains in the polymer membrane will be altered to create anisotropic actuation behavior in a manner similar to the form and function of the fiber-like structure of actual muscle tissue. By controlling the nano-scale structure of these artificial muscles, new fundamental information regarding the morphology-actuation property relationships will be developed in order to discover the precise actuation mechanism in these active nanostructures. Through a bio-inspired approach, this project eloquently demonstrates the profound importance of understanding nano-science and technology in the ability to create synthetic materials that are capable of mimicking Mother Nature in form and function. Since many applications are envisioned for these artificial muscles (from bio-mechanical implants to energy conversion devices), this research effort will provide the critical information needed to tailor nanostructure for specific macroscopic characteristics. As artificial muscle research has an intrinsically broad appeal to a wide audience, the research results will serve as an ideal vehicle to develop outreach and educational materials for K-12 students, undergraduates, and graduates.