Basic Research on artificial muscle and artificial blood vessel using ion polymer metal compound

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

We have fabricated an ion polymer metal compound (IPMC) actuator for active phlegm removing operation in ventilator circuit. The specific need of removing phlegm from ventilator assisted patients is to be reconciled by using IPMC for both as a flow sensor and as an active actuator. Under normal circumstances, IPMC operates in water, but we have confirmed that it operates in saturated vapor such as in ventilator circuit.Nafion R-1100 resin was heat-pressed at 185℃ with 20-30 MPa. The thickness of IPMC can be adjusted by changing the amount of resin, pressure, and time to heat-press. Heat pressed disk-shaped membrane was then immersed to hydrolysis solution using a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), potassium hydroxide(KOH), and water. The pre-processed membrane was permeated in [Au(phen)C1_2]^+ solution. After the immersion, the membrane was reduced with 5% Na_2SO_3 solution to perform gold plating. The membrane was cut into a rectangular shape to fit into the respiratory circuit of a ventilator.To enhance the magnitude of force generation by IPMC, the fabrication process was examined by altering the heat press process ; IPMC was pre-heated before subjecting to heat press and subsequently to chemically plating with gold. Force generating capacity of IPMC was measured with isometric force transducer at various level of applied voltage. Generated force was greater in IPMC of longer pre heating time, i.e., IPMC pre-heated before it was heat pressed. The longer the pre-heating time was the greater IPMC generated its force. The result suggests that the generating force of IPMC depends on the molecular structure of Nafion.Prepared IPMC was fixed as an array on a plastic pipe of diameter 22 mm and was connected to a ventilator circuit and driven by a ventilator with a volume control ventilation (VCV) mode. IPMC was connected both to a sensing unit and an actuation unit.