Soft microelectromechanical systems and artificial muscles based on electronically conducting polymers (Conference Presentation)

AbstractConducting polymers and hydrogels are two classes of polymers that currently receive an increasing attention in the field of biomaterials, particularly for their application in the assembly of artificial muscles. In this paper we present the development of Polyacrylamide (PAAM) microfibers and polyaniline (PANI) - poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) conductive gel membrane.The fabricated PAAM microfibers have diameters between 1 and 12μm depending on the preparation parameters. These microfibers respond instantaneously to 100mV electrical stimulation, which solves the problem of time response of the hydrogels. On the other hand, we showed that the inclusion of conducting chains within a crosslinked gel matrix allows combining the conductivity of the PANI with the mechanical flexibility of PVA in order to provide flexible gel membranes that can adhere to the PAAM microfibers to ensure their electrical stimulation.

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Performance of Polymer-Based Supercapacitors

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-369-605 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 369 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Catia Arbizzani ◽

Marina Mastragostino ◽

Luca Meneghello

Keyword(s):

Conducting Polymers ◽

Electric Vehicle ◽

Electrode Materials ◽

Power Source ◽

Performance Data ◽

Symmetric Supercapacitor ◽

Electronically Conducting Polymers

AbstractSupercapacitors are now attracting much attention as an electric vehicle power source. The present study focuses on redox supercapacitors with electronically conducting polymers as electrode materials. Performance data of a symmetric supercapacitor based on p-doped poly(pyrrole), of an unsymmetric supercapacitor based on p-doped poly(pyrrole) and poly(3-methylthiophene), and of a symmetric sypercapacitor based on p- and n-doped poly(dithieno[3,4-b:3',4'-d]thiophene) are here compared.

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Soft and Wet Conducting Polymers for Artificial Muscles

Advanced Materials ◽

10.1002/(sici)1521-4095(199804)10:6<491::aid-adma491>3.0.co;2-q ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 491-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 134

Author(s):

Toribio F. Otero ◽

Jose M. Sansieña

Keyword(s):

Conducting Polymers ◽

Artificial Muscles

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Stable Bipedal Locomotion Using Biomimetic IPMC Actuators

Volume 1: Development and Characterization of Multifunctional Materials; Modeling, Simulation and Control of Adaptive Systems; Structural Health Monitoring ◽

10.1115/smasis2012-8191 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Milad Hosseinipour ◽

Mohammad Elahinia

Keyword(s):

Microelectromechanical Systems ◽

Biped Robot ◽

Artificial Muscles ◽

Bipedal Locomotion ◽

Gold Plating ◽

Box Models ◽

Ionic Conducting ◽

Smooth Motion ◽

Polymer Metal ◽

The Stability

Ionic conducting polymer-metal composites (abbreviated as IPMC) are interesting actuators that can act as artificial muscles in robotic and microelectromechanical systems. The electrochemical-mechanical behavior of these materials has been modeled by various black or gray box models. In this study, the governing partial differential equation of the behavior of IPMC is solved using finite element methods to find the critical actuation parameters such as strain distribution, maximum strain, and response time. 1D results of the FEM solution are then extended to 2D to find the tip displacement of a flap actuator. Model of a seven-degree of freedom biped robot, actuated by IPMC flaps, is then introduced to study. Possibility of fast and stable bipedal locomotion using IPMC artificial muscles is the main motivation of this study. Taking the actuator limits into account, joint path trajectories are generated to achieve a fast and smooth motion. The stability of the proposed gait is then evaluated using ZMP criterion and motion simulation. Fabrication parameters of each actuator such as length, platinum (or gold) plating thickness and installation angle are also studied using the generated trajectories.

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