Surface roughness effects on ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) sensitivity for compression loads

William S. Nagel; Omar A. Hussain; Omid Fakharian; Matteo Aureli; Kam K. Leang

doi:10.1117/12.2613127

18 April 2022 Surface roughness effects on ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) sensitivity for compression loads

William S. Nagel, Omar A. Hussain, Omid Fakharian, Matteo Aureli, Kam K. Leang

Proceedings Volume PC12042, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXIV; PC120420L (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2613127
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2022, Long Beach, California, United States

Abstract

The soft and compliant nature of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) sensors has recently been investigated for various applications in soft robotic and mechatronic devices. Recent results of physics-based chemoelectromechanical modeling suggest that IPMC asymmetric surface roughening may enhance the sensitivity under compression. This paper presents initial experimental results on IPMC compression sensors fabricated with varying degrees of asymmetric surface roughness. The roughness is created through a simple mechanical sanding process on the base polymer material, referred to as "polymer abrading technique'", followed by traditional electroless plating to create electrodes. Sample sensors are characterized by measuring the voltage response under different compressive loads. The results show consistently increased sensor sensitivity of the asymmetrically roughened IPMCs versus a control sample. Sensitivity increases non-monotonically with rougher electrode surfaces, where maximum sensitivity of about 0.0433 mV/kPa is achieved with sensor electrodes with 53-74~micrometer abrasions. More variability is also observed through augmented electrode roughness, suggesting greater flexibility for IPMC sensor design. These results align with predictions from the existing physics-based chemoelectromechanical model.

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William S. Nagel, Omar A. Hussain, Omid Fakharian, Matteo Aureli, and Kam K. Leang "Surface roughness effects on ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) sensitivity for compression loads", Proc. SPIE PC12042, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXIV, PC120420L (18 April 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2613127

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KEYWORDS

Polymers

Surface roughness

Composites

Sensors

Electrodes

Electroless plating

Mechatronics

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