Manufacturing, characterisation and moulding of magnetoactive thermoplastic elastomers with focus on applications for sensors and actuators

日益增长的多功能和功能集成器件的需求支持了智能材料的研究。它们包括混合材料，其组件的微观相互作用导致宏观性能，显示出磁控机械顺应性。衍生的应用可以是单片传感器致动器系统。所考虑的项目在材料合成和技术实现领域架起了桥梁。为了使基本材料适合技术目的，制造技术是非常必要的。成型(半成品，特殊形式)和潜在的工业工艺适用性也是至关重要的标准。根据电活性弹性体的经验，提出者计划对磁活性热塑性弹性体的工艺进行调整。这包括磁性颗粒、弹性体基质和其他试剂的选择和测试。需要根据相关特性(颗粒分散性、可加工性、精细图案化)对机械动力学和磁动力学特性以及生产进行进一步表征。早期的目标是塑造简单的几何形状(纤维挤出)和连接技术(编织或接触基材)，重点是操纵感官应用。详细地说，调查涉及a)纤毛结构功能表面(用于抓取器)和b)触觉感官网状物。这两个受试者的机械顺应性都是由磁力控制的，对于b)来说，一个附加的、受变形影响的电导率提供了一种感觉功能。

Increasing demand for multifunctional and functional integrated devices supports the research on smart materials. They include hybrid materials, whose microscale interaction of components results in macroscopic properties, which show magnetically controlled mechanical compliancy. Derived applications can be monolithic sensor actuator systems.The considered project bridges the fields of material synthesis and technical implementation. Manufacturing technologies are strongly required to make the basic material fit for technical purposes. Shaping (semi-finished products, special forms) and the potential suitability for industrial processes are crucial criteria, too.Basing on the experiences with electroactive elastomers, the proposer plans the adaption of processes on magnetoactive thermoplastic elastomers. This includes the selection and testing of magnetic particles, the elastomer matrix and additional agents. Further characterization of the mechanical-dynamic and magnetic-dynamic properties as well as production depending on relevant properties (particle dispersion, processability, fine patterning) is required. The early aim is the shaping of simple geometries (fiber extrusion) and joining technologies (weaving or contacting on substrate) with the focus on manipulative sensoric applications. In Detail, investigation concern a) cilia structured functional surfaces (for grippers) and b) a tactile sensoric mesh. The mechanic compliancy of both subjects is controlled magnetically and, for b), an additional, deformation influenced electrical conductivity provides a sensoric function.