Electroactive polymer (EAP) mobility device

Mark Stasik; Megan Moore; Chuck Plaxico; Jay Sayre

doi:10.1117/12.2009037

9 April 2013 Electroactive polymer (EAP) mobility device

Mark Stasik, Megan Moore, Chuck Plaxico, Jay Sayre

Proceedings Volume 8687, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2013; 86870B (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009037
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Ionomeric polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) are a class of electroactive polymers (EAPs) that silently bend and exert force in response to an applied voltage. In this work, a unique design is presented where IPMCs are used to accomplish rotary motion. A novel feature is that EAP actuation is used in conjunction with gravity to cause rotation. This idea could be used to create a self-driven roller device. Such a roller could resemble a wheel with a circular or cylindrical geometry, or a sphere capable of rolling in all directions. Numerical simulations were performed that show a two dimensional roller device can accomplish rolling motion as a result of IPMC actuation. Experimental data on the deformation performance of fabricated IPMCs was used to drive the numerical simulations of the device. A possible application of this mechanism could be a mobility device on the centimeter scale that can transport a payload silently to a target destination.

Citation Download Citation

Mark Stasik, Megan Moore, Chuck Plaxico, and Jay Sayre "Electroactive polymer (EAP) mobility device", Proc. SPIE 8687, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2013, 86870B (9 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009037

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