Ionic Polymer

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Donald J. Leo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Softening and heating effects in Ionic Polymer transducers: An experimental investigation
    Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2013
    Co-Authors: Barbar J. Akle, Donald J. Leo
    Abstract:

    This study reports the softening and heating of Ionic Polymer transducers during actuation. This is the first account of such effects that will impact the understanding of the actuation mechanisms and the physical modeling of these actuators. The Ionic Polymer transducer samples are characterized in the extensional mode under a variety of mechanical boundary conditions, as a function of the electrode architecture and the cation species. For instance, the electrode thickness is varied from 10 to 40 µm while three extensional actuators with lithium, cesium, and tetraethylammonium mobile cations are characterized. The actuators are characterized under the following boundary conditions: free displacement, spring loaded with a varied amount of prestress, and constant applied pressure. The softening behavior is observed when the prestressed actuator contracts rather than expands as expected in the extensional mode. While the heating effect is observed when transducers characterized with a high-frequency alterna...

  • Modeling the electrical impedance response of Ionic Polymer transducers
    Journal of Applied Physics, 2008
    Co-Authors: Kevin M. Farinholt, Donald J. Leo
    Abstract:

    An analytical study is presented that investigates the electrical impedance response of the Ionic Polymer transducer. Experimental studies have shown that the electromechanical response of these active materials is highly dependent upon internal parameters such as neutralizing counterion, diluent, electrode treatment, as well as environmental factors such as ambient temperature. Further examination has shown that these variations are introduced predominantly through the Polymer’s ability to convert voltage into charge migration. This relationship can easily be represented by the Polymer’s electrical impedance as measured across the outer electrodes of the transducer. In the first half of this study an analytical model is developed which predicts the time and frequency domain characteristics of the electrical response of the Ionic Polymer transducer. Transport equations serve as the basis for this model, from which a series of relationships are developed to describe internal potential, internal charge dens...

  • Development and modeling of novel extensional Ionic Polymer transducers
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2007, 2007
    Co-Authors: Barbar J. Akle, Thomas Wallmersperger, Donald J. Leo
    Abstract:

    Ionic Polymer transducers (IPT), sometimes referred to as artificial muscles, are known to generate a large bending strain and a moderate stress at low applied voltages. Bending actuators have limited engineering applications due to the low forcing capabilities and the need for complicated external devices to convert the bending action into rotating or linear motion desired in most devices. Recently Akle and Leo (2006) reported extensional actuation in Ionic Polymer transducers. Model prediction indicates that such actuators can produce strain up to 10% and a blocked stress up to 20MPa under a +/- 2V applied electric potential. Compared to other smart materials, IPT is a flexible membrane and it has a reliability of over one million cycles. In this work novel extensional IPT actuators are developed for the purpose of increasing the overall displacement of the actuator. The electromechanical coupling is measured and a correlation of the experimental data with the active areas model by Akle and Leo (2006) and the numerical electromechanical model by Wallmersperger and Leo (2004) are presented. The coupling between each test case with the model parameters enables further understanding of the physical actuation phenomena as the role of diffusion of ions and diluents and the electrostatic forces between the charged species. In this study the displacement of an extensional Ionic Polymer transducer is measured and compared to the bending of the same IPT actuator. The bending strain is measured to be approximately 2.5%, while the extensional strain for the same ionomer is in the order of 17.5%. Finally an interesting behavior, reported for the first time is the steady expansion of the IPT sample due to the application of a symmetrical sine wave. This indicates that charge accumulation is occurring at the electrode.

  • Counterion and Diluent Effects on the Response of Ionic Polymer Transducers
    Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2007
    Co-Authors: Kevin M. Farinholt, Donald J. Leo
    Abstract:

    A parametric study is presented which investigates the effect that counterion and diluent have on the electrical and electromechanical response of the Ionic Polymer transducers (IPT). This series of experiments expands upon existing studies by incorporating the sensing and impedance characteristics of the Ionic Polymer in response to changes in the counterion species and the viscous and dielectric properties of the diluent. The counterions considered in this study include the monovalent and divalent metals Li + , Na + , Cs + , and Ca 2+ , as well as the larger organic cations tetraethylammonium (TEA + ) and tetrabutylammonium (TBA + ). Viscosity studies incorporate various water-glycerol mixtures which are tailored to yield viscosities from 1 cP (100% water) to 1500 cP (100% glycerol). Dielectric properties of the diluent are also considered in a study which compares the response of samples in water (78.4), acetonitrile (37.5), and butyl acetate (5.4). The results of these studies demonstrate the importance of the transducer's electrical response in regards to the electromechanical performance of the transducer in both actuation and sensing applications.

  • A Design Model for Bending and Extensional Ionic Polymer Transducers
    Aerospace, 2006
    Co-Authors: Barbar J. Akle, Donald J. Leo
    Abstract:

    Ionomeric Polymer transducers have received considerable attention in the past ten years due to their ability to generate large bending strain (~10%) and moderate stress at low applied voltages (~2V). Bending transducers made of an ionomeric Polymer membrane sandwiched between two flexible electrodes deform through the expansion of one electrode and contraction of the opposite electrode due to cation displacement across the transducer. Recently the authors reported extensional actuation in Ionic Polymer transducers (Akle and Leo 2005). In this study we developed and experimentally supported a model that assumes the electrode as the active area in Ionic Polymer transducers. The electromechanical coupling is represented by a linear and quadratic terms of the charge accumulated at the electrode. The mechanism of charge accumulation in Ionic Polymer transducers is an electric double layer type process. This charge is correlated with the conductor-ionomer interfacial surface area. In this study we will model the accumulated charge as a function of electrode architecture. The linear and quadratic coefficients are calibrated experimentally for several types of Ionic species, Ionic liquid uptake levels, and electrode conductor species. A design model based on the previously developed models will predict the generated free strain and blocked force in bending and extensional Ionic Polymer transducers for the different design variables. The model is experimentally verified by building transducers using the Direct Assembly Process with variable electrode architectures. The thickness and conductor concentration in the electrode and membrane are varied.Copyright © 2006 by ASME

Mohsen Shahinpoor - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Ionic Polymer metal composites ipmcs smart multi functional materials and artificial muscles
    2015
    Co-Authors: Mohsen Shahinpoor
    Abstract:

    Fundamentals of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) Optimal Manufacturing Graphene-based Ionic Polymer Actuators What Happens at the Ionomer-Electrode Interfaces and How it Influences Sensing and Actuation in IPMCs Modeling IPMCs with Comsol: Step-by-Step Guide Ionic Polymer Metal Composites with Electrochemically Active Electrodes Electromechanical Distributed Modeling of IPMCs Modeling for Engineering Design of IPMC Devices: from a Continuum Electromechanical Model to its Lumped-Parameter Representation Electric Energy Storage using IMPCs: Towards a Flexible IMPC for Low-power Devices Modeling of Environment-Dependent IPMC Actuation and Sensing Dynamics Precision Feedback and Feedforward Control of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators Design, Test, and Micromanipulation using an IPMC Microgripper Phenomenon of Spatially Growing Wave of a Snake-like Robot: Natural Generation of Biomimetic Swimming Motion Energy Exchange betwem Coherent Fluid Structures and IPMC, toward Flow Sensing and Energy Harvesting Miniature Pump with IPMC Actuator for Drug Delivery Modelling and Characterization of IPMC Transducers: from IPMC Infancy to Multiphysics Modeling IPMC as Post-silicon Transducers for the Realization of Smart Systems Micromechanined IPMC Actuators for Biomedical Applications IPMCs: Recent Advances in Self-sensing Methods A Continuum Multiphysics Theory for Electroactive Polymers and IPMCs Multiphysics Modeling of Non-Linear IPMC Plates Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMCs) as Dexterous Manipulators and Haptic Feedback/Tactile Sensors for Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery IPMCs as Soft Biomimetic Robotic Artificial Muscles Ionic Electroactive Actuators with Giant Electromechanical Response Multiphysics Modeling and Simulation of Dynamics Sensing in Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs) with Applications to Soft Robotics Comprehensive Review on Electroactive Paper Actuators

  • Chapter 5:Ionic Polymer Metal Nanocomposites as Intelligent Materials and Artificial Muscles
    Intelligent Materials, 2007
    Co-Authors: Mohsen Shahinpoor
    Abstract:

    Basic recent results, properties and characteristics of Ionic Polymer conductor nanocomposites (IPCNC) and Ionic Polymer metal nanocomposites (IPMNC) as biomimetic multifunctional distributed nanosensors, nanoactuators, nanotransducers and artificial muscles are briefly discussed in this chapter. In...

  • quasi static positioning of Ionic Polymer metal composite ipmc actuators
    International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, 2005
    Co-Authors: Zheng Chen, Xiaobo Tan, Mohsen Shahinpoor
    Abstract:

    Ionic Polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) generate large bending motions under a low driving voltage (about 1 V). In this paper quasi-static actuation of IPMC is investigated with the goal of precise positioning. It is found that IPMC exhibits hysteresis between its bending curvature and the applied quasi-static voltage. The Preisach operator is proposed to model the hysteresis, and its density function identified experimentally. An open-loop positioning strategy is presented based on efficient inversion of the Preisach operator, and its efficacy is demonstrated by experimental results. Finally a cascaded model structure is proposed to capture both the hysteresis and the dynamics of IPMC actuators.

  • Ionic Polymer metal composites iv industrial and medical applications
    Smart Materials and Structures, 2005
    Co-Authors: Mohsen Shahinpoor
    Abstract:

    This paper, the last in a series of four review papers to appear in this journal, presents some critical applications using Ionic Polymer?metal composites?(IPMCs). Industrial and biomedical applications of IPMCs are identified and presented along with brief illustration.

  • Ionic Polymer–metal composites: IV. Industrial and medical applications
    Smart Materials and Structures, 2004
    Co-Authors: Mohsen Shahinpoor, Kwang J. Kim
    Abstract:

    This paper, the last in a series of four review papers to appear in this journal, presents some critical applications using Ionic Polymer?metal composites?(IPMCs). Industrial and biomedical applications of IPMCs are identified and presented along with brief illustration.

Maurizio Porfiri - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • On structural models for Ionic Polymer metal composites (SPIE Best Student Paper Finalist)
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXII, 2020
    Co-Authors: Alain Boldini, Lorenzo Bardella, Maurizio Porfiri
    Abstract:

    Ionic Polymer metal composites (IPMCs) are a class of soft electroactive Polymers. IPMCs comprise a soft Ionic Polymer core, on which two stiff metal electrodes are plated. These active materials exhibit large bend- ing upon the application of a small driving voltage across their electrodes, in air or in aqueous environments. In a recent work, we presented compelling theoretical and numerical evidence suggesting that Ionic Polymer membranes exhibit complex multiaxial deformations neglected by reduced-order structural models. Where most beam theories (including Euler-Bernoulli, Timoshenko, and most higher-order shear deformation models) would suggest vanishing through-the-thickness deformation, we discover the onset of localized deformation that rever- berates into axial stretching. Building upon this effort, here we investigate the role of the electrodes and shear on multiaxial deformations of IPMCs. We establish a novel structural theory for IPMCs, based on the Euler- Bernoulli kinematics enriched with the through-the-thickness deformation in the Ionic Polymer, computed from a Saint-Venant-like problem for uniform bending. While considering boundary conditions that elicit non-uniform bending, we compare the results of this model against classical Euler-Bernoulli beam theory without enrichment and finite element simulations, encapsulating the nonlinear response of the material. We demonstrate that our theory can predict the macroscopic displacement of the IPMC, along with the localized deformation in the Ionic Polymer at the interface with the electrodes, which are not captured by the classical Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. This work paves the way to the development of more sophisticated structural theories for IPMCs and analogous active materials, affording an accurate description of deformations at a limited computational cost.

  • enhancing the deformation range of Ionic Polymer metal composites through electrostatic actuation
    Applied Physics Letters, 2018
    Co-Authors: Alain Boldini, Kevin Jose, Youngsu Cha, Maurizio Porfiri
    Abstract:

    The large range of deformations of Ionic Polymer metal composites (IPMCs) has often been proposed as a key advantage of these soft active materials. Nevertheless, many applications in soft robotics still cannot be addressed by current IPMC technology, demanding an even wider deformation range. Here, we empirically demonstrate the feasibility of integrating electrostatic actuation to enhance IPMC deformations. Through the use of external contactless electrodes, an electrostatic pressure is generated on the IPMC, thereby magnifying the deformation elicited by the small voltage applied across its electrodes. A mathematical model is established to predict the onset of the pull-in instability, which defines when electrostatic actuation can be effectively utilized to enhance IPMC performance.The large range of deformations of Ionic Polymer metal composites (IPMCs) has often been proposed as a key advantage of these soft active materials. Nevertheless, many applications in soft robotics still cannot be addressed by current IPMC technology, demanding an even wider deformation range. Here, we empirically demonstrate the feasibility of integrating electrostatic actuation to enhance IPMC deformations. Through the use of external contactless electrodes, an electrostatic pressure is generated on the IPMC, thereby magnifying the deformation elicited by the small voltage applied across its electrodes. A mathematical model is established to predict the onset of the pull-in instability, which defines when electrostatic actuation can be effectively utilized to enhance IPMC performance.

  • Voltage attenuation along the electrodes of Ionic Polymer metal composites
    Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2016
    Co-Authors: Hubert Kim, Youngsu Cha, Maurizio Porfiri
    Abstract:

    In this note, we study voltage attenuation along the electrodes of an Ionic Polymer metal composite. We conduct a series of experiments on an in-house fabricated Nafion-based Ionic Polymer metal co...

  • charge dynamics of Ionic Polymer metal composites in response to electrical bias
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2013
    Co-Authors: Youngsu Cha, Maurizio Porfiri
    Abstract:

    In this paper, we analyze the charge dynamics of Ionic Polymer metal composites (IPMCs) in response to voltage inputs composed of a DC bias and a small AC voltage. IPMC chemoelectrical behavior is described through the Poisson-Nernst-Planck framework. The physics of charge build up and mass transfer at the electrodes are modeled through metal particle layers. Perturbation methods are used to establish an equivalent circuit model for the IPMC electrical response. The proposed approach is validated through comparison with finite element results.

  • Nonlinear sensing of Ionic Polymer metal composites
    Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics, 2013
    Co-Authors: Matteo Aureli, Maurizio Porfiri
    Abstract:

    In this paper, we develop a physics-based model for the charge dynamics of Ionic Polymer metal composites (IPMCs) in response to mechanical deformations. The proposed chemoelectromechanical model is based on the Poisson–Nernst–Planck system that describes the evolution of the voltage field and the counterion concentration as a dynamic strain is imposed to the IPMC. We use the method of matched asymptotic expansions to find a closed form solution for the Poisson–Nernst–Planck equations and derive an equivalent nonlinear circuit model that is amenable for parametric studies. We report results for a variety of loading scenarios to gather insight into the nonlinear characteristics of IPMC electrical response and their potential application in sensors and energy harvesting devices.

Zicai Zhu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Sensing Properties and Physical Model of Ionic Polymer
    Soft Actuators, 2019
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Hualing Chen, Yanjie Wang
    Abstract:

    Ionic Polymer shows great potential to imitate natural mechanical sensation because of ion-migration mechanism. In this chapter, sensing properties of IPMC sensor were introduced. Under a bending deformation, how ambient humidity influenced the voltage response of IPMC was investigated. And then the effect of various cations on the electrical responses of IPMC at various ambient humidities was revealed by a series of experiments. The electrical response evolvement with water content and cation type was explained thoroughly based on transport theory. Further, a multi-physical model was set up for IPMC sensor by utilizing the same equations for IPMC actuator. Numerical results showed that the model was capable to fit the voltage and current response of IPMC with various cations at different humidities well. Finally, we presented a new concept of Ionic Polymer senor based on deeply understanding on sensing mechanism. A 3 × 3 pressure sensor array was presented, which showed much higher voltage. It proved that Ionic Polymer sensor can work as a pressure sensor, not a cantilever anymore. It makes us believe that Ionic Polymer sensor is a promising direction and still far from well developed.

  • Ionic Polymer with single-layered electrodes: a novel strategy for Ionic actuator design
    Smart Materials and Structures, 2018
    Co-Authors: Longfei Chang, Yu Linfeng, Li Chaoqun, Niu Qingzheng, Zicai Zhu
    Abstract:

    The current Ionic Polymer actuators demand symmetric assembly of two electrode layers, which brings much difficulty to the patterned electroding process and thus significantly limits their practical application. We proposed a novel actuating structure of Ionic Polymer with single-layered electrodes, in which the electrodes are fabricated on one side of the substrate, leading to distinct S-shaped deformation with large displacement and high load capacity. This structure tolerates complex electrode patterning process and can be extended to most Ionic Polymer actuators. Thereby it provides a brand new strategy for the design of so-based soft electromechanical appliance with versatile deformation behavior.

  • An easily fabricated high performance Ionic Polymer based sensor network
    Applied Physics Letters, 2016
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Yanjie Wang, Hu Xiaopin, Xiaofei Sun, Longfei Chang
    Abstract:

    Ionic Polymer materials can generate an electrical potential from ion migration under an external force. For traditional Ionic Polymer metal composite sensors, the output voltage is very small (a few millivolts), and the fabrication process is complex and time-consuming. This letter presents an Ionic Polymer based network of pressure sensors which is easily and quickly constructed, and which can generate high voltage. A 3 × 3 sensor array was prepared by casting Nafion solution directly over copper wires. Under applied pressure, two different levels of voltage response were observed among the nine nodes in the array. For the group producing the higher level, peak voltages reached as high as 25 mV. Computational stress analysis revealed the physical origin of the different responses. High voltages resulting from the stress concentration and asymmetric structure can be further utilized to modify subsequent designs to improve the performance of similar sensors.

  • A multi-physical model for charge and mass transport in a flexible Ionic Polymer sensor
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 2016
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Kinji Asaka, Kentaro Takagi, Alvo Aabloo, Tetsuya Horiuchi
    Abstract:

    An Ionic Polymer material can generate electrical potential and function as a bio-sensor under a non-uniform deformation. Ionic Polymer-metal composite (IPMC) is a typical flexible Ionic Polymer sensor material. A multi-physical sensing model is presented at first based on the same physical equations in the physical model for IPMC actuator we obtained before. Under an applied bending deformation, water and cation migrate to the direction of outside electrode immediately. Redistribution of cations causes an electrical potential difference between two electrodes. The cation migration is strongly restrained by the generated electrical potential. And the migrated cations will move back to the inner electrode under the concentration diffusion effect and lead to a relaxation of electrical potential. In the whole sensing process, transport and redistribution of charge and mass are revealed along the thickness direction by numerical analysis. The sensing process is a revised physical process of the actuation, however, the transport properties are quite different from those of the later. And the effective dielectric constant of IPMC, which is related to the morphology of the electrode-Ionic Polymer interface, is proved to have little relation with the sensing amplitude. All the conclusions are significant for Ionic Polymer sensing material design.

  • multi physical model of cation and water transport in Ionic Polymer metal composite sensors
    Journal of Applied Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Longfei Chang, Kentaro Takagi, Alvo Aabloo, Tetsuya Horiuchi, Kinji Asaka
    Abstract:

    Ion-migration based electrical potential widely exists not only in natural systems but also in Ionic Polymer materials. We presented a multi-physical model and investigated the transport process of cation and water of Ionic Polymer-metal composites based on our thorough understanding on the Ionic sensing mechanisms in this paper. The whole transport process was depicted by transport equations concerning convection flux under the total pressure gradient, electrical migration by the built-in electrical field, and the inter-coupling effect between cation and water. With numerical analysis, the influence of critical material parameters, the elastic modulus Ewet, the hydraulic permeability coefficient K, the diffusion coefficient of cation dII and water dWW, and the drag coefficient of water ndW, on the distribution of cation and water was investigated. It was obtained how these parameters correlate to the voltage characteristics (both magnitude and response speed) under a step bending. Additionally, it was fo...

Kinji Asaka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A multi-physical model for charge and mass transport in a flexible Ionic Polymer sensor
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 2016
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Kinji Asaka, Kentaro Takagi, Alvo Aabloo, Tetsuya Horiuchi
    Abstract:

    An Ionic Polymer material can generate electrical potential and function as a bio-sensor under a non-uniform deformation. Ionic Polymer-metal composite (IPMC) is a typical flexible Ionic Polymer sensor material. A multi-physical sensing model is presented at first based on the same physical equations in the physical model for IPMC actuator we obtained before. Under an applied bending deformation, water and cation migrate to the direction of outside electrode immediately. Redistribution of cations causes an electrical potential difference between two electrodes. The cation migration is strongly restrained by the generated electrical potential. And the migrated cations will move back to the inner electrode under the concentration diffusion effect and lead to a relaxation of electrical potential. In the whole sensing process, transport and redistribution of charge and mass are revealed along the thickness direction by numerical analysis. The sensing process is a revised physical process of the actuation, however, the transport properties are quite different from those of the later. And the effective dielectric constant of IPMC, which is related to the morphology of the electrode-Ionic Polymer interface, is proved to have little relation with the sensing amplitude. All the conclusions are significant for Ionic Polymer sensing material design.

  • multi physical model of cation and water transport in Ionic Polymer metal composite sensors
    Journal of Applied Physics, 2016
    Co-Authors: Zicai Zhu, Longfei Chang, Kentaro Takagi, Alvo Aabloo, Tetsuya Horiuchi, Kinji Asaka
    Abstract:

    Ion-migration based electrical potential widely exists not only in natural systems but also in Ionic Polymer materials. We presented a multi-physical model and investigated the transport process of cation and water of Ionic Polymer-metal composites based on our thorough understanding on the Ionic sensing mechanisms in this paper. The whole transport process was depicted by transport equations concerning convection flux under the total pressure gradient, electrical migration by the built-in electrical field, and the inter-coupling effect between cation and water. With numerical analysis, the influence of critical material parameters, the elastic modulus Ewet, the hydraulic permeability coefficient K, the diffusion coefficient of cation dII and water dWW, and the drag coefficient of water ndW, on the distribution of cation and water was investigated. It was obtained how these parameters correlate to the voltage characteristics (both magnitude and response speed) under a step bending. Additionally, it was fo...

  • Electromechanical performance of Ionic Polymer-metal composite under electrode constraint
    Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2015
    Co-Authors: Longfei Chang, Zicai Zhu, Yanjie Wang, Kinji Asaka, Hualing Chen
    Abstract:

    The electro-active performance of Ionic Polymer-metal composite has been widely reported to be related to the strain caused by the unbalance of local water content. In this paper, the anisotropic strain under electrode constraint in Ionic Polymer-metal composite during water uptake was investigated. A model was proposed to claim that existence of electrode would lead to anisotropic swelling in Ionic Polymer-metal composite, and the strain state was significantly affected by the electrode volume proportion as well as the elasticity ratio of the electrode and Polymer. Based on Nafion-Pd Ionic Polymer-metal composite, experiments were carried out to measure the swelling strain during saturation process. Evaluation by the proposed model showed great agreement with the experimental observation, both of which gave the conclusion that, under the surface electrode constraint, strain in the thickness direction was much larger than that in plane directions. At last, based on a formerly-established multi-physical mo...

  • Self-Sensing Ionic Polymer Actuators: A Review
    Actuators, 2015
    Co-Authors: Karl Kruusamäe, Andres Punning, Alvo Aabloo, Kinji Asaka
    Abstract:

    Ionic electromechanically active Polymers (IEAP) are laminar composites that can be considered attractive candidates for soft actuators. Their outstanding properties such as low operating voltage, easy miniaturization, and noiseless operation are, however, marred by issues related to the repeatability in the production and operation of these materials. Implementing closed-loop control for IEAP actuators is a viable option for overcoming these issues. Since IEAP laminates also behave as mechanoelectrical sensors, it is advantageous to combine the actuating and sensing functionalities of a single device to create a so-called self-sensing actuator. This review article systematizes the state of the art in producing self-sensing Ionic Polymer actuators. The IEAPs discussed in this paper are conducting (or conjugated) Polymers actuators (CPA), Ionic Polymer-metal composite (IPMC), and carbonaceous Polymer laminates.

  • recent advances in Ionic Polymer metal composite actuators and their modeling and applications
    Progress in Polymer Science, 2013
    Co-Authors: Choonghee Jo, David Pugal, Ilkwon Oh, Kinji Asaka
    Abstract:

    Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive review of Ionic Polymer–metal composite (IPMC) actuators. Recently, strong emphasis has been put on investigating various Ionic Polymer membranes for high-performance IPMC actuators and overcoming some drawbacks of Ionic Polymer actuators to improve stability and reliability. The paper gives an overview of different types of sulfonated Ionic Polymer membranes. Various emerging materials that exhibit notably good deformation, stability, and efficiency are extensively considered. A thorough comparison of different state-of-the-art ion exchange membranes is presented. Along with the material study, recent trends in modeling and control approached of IPMC actuators are presented. Although fundamental models of IPMC were proposed over a decade ago, physics-based models are still being developed in order to study specific aspects of the actuators and to develop a control design for practical applications. Therefore, this paper considers the latest actuation models and control designs of IPMC actuator and various promising prototype applications that lead the way in using the materials for real applications in future.