Nonlinear Analysis Techniques for Elastomeric Transducers

该基金的主要研究目标是开发新的非线性分析技术和建模工具，以研究大变形聚合物驱动材料的动态响应。电弹性体是一种大应变电活性聚合物，它为智能材料研究带来了革命性的变化，有可能推动假肢设备、内窥镜手术、柔顺机器人和自适应结构等领域的发展。提出了具有蠕动和抓取等新型仿生功能的新型执行器。各种应用都需要轻型、顺应性、非破坏性的构造，这些构造可以渗透到隐蔽的难以到达的区域。本研究旨在发展一种结合Maxwell-Faraday静电学和非线性弹性的连续介质模型来描述配置为蠕动运动和抓取/抓取的电弹性体的动态响应，并表征新合成的丙烯酸酯共聚物的本构响应，以改善机电驱动。被支持的学生将沉浸在理论和实验环境中，并将通过与弗吉尼亚理工大学化学系的直接合作获得跨学科经验。智能材料在电活性聚合物领域的研究进展将为实现与健康相关的重大目标提供手段，而这些目标以前在矫形/假肢、内窥镜手术和机器人领域被认为是无法实现的。

The primary research objective of this grant is to develop new nonlinear analysis techniques and modeling tools to study the dynamic response of large deformation polymeric actuation materials. Electro-elastomers are large strain electroactive polymers that have revolutionized smart materials research with the potential to advance the areas of prosthetic devices, endoscopic surgery, compliant robots, and adaptive structures. New actuators with the novel biomimetic capabilities of peristaltic motion and gripping/grasping are proposed. Light, compliant, nondestructive constructs that can permeate obscure hard to reach areas are needed for a variety of applications. This research seeks to develop a continuum model that combines Maxwell-Faraday electrostatics and nonlinear elasticity to describe the dynamic response of electro-elastomers configured for peristaltic motion and gripping/grasping, and to also characterize the constitutive response of newly synthesized acrylic copolymers for improved electromechanical actuation. Supported students will be immersed in both theoretical and experimental environments and will gain an interdisciplinary experience through direct collaboration with the Chemistry Department at Virginia Tech. The advancement of smart materials research in the area of electroactive polymers will provide the means to attain significant health-related goals that were thought previously unattainable in orthotics/prosthetics, endoscopic surgery, and robotics.