Bio-Inspired Active Fiber Composite Pumps

Squid are the fastest aquatic invertebrates through jetting locomotion. This done through a mantle that quickly compresses an internal fluid, forcing fluid out through a funnel. The squid mantle has a complex collagen fiber and muscular system and squid propulsion is primarily done through circumferential muscles (90°) contracting around the mantel, forcing fluid out of the mantel. However, jetting is also increased through elastic energy stored in the helically-wound IM-1 collagen fibers, which have been measured between 28° to 32° in different species of squid. Inspired by the muscular and collagen fiber configuration found in the squid mantel, new composite pumps with active fibers oriented at precise angles around a cylindrical tube are proposed. An analytical model of the active fiber composite pump is developed. Results show that maximum pumping power and efficiency is achieved with a wind angle of 90° and a matrix modulus that is equal to the fiber modulus.

Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis of Smart Sandwich Plates

This paper presents the geometrically nonlinear analysis of smart sandwich plates. The top surface of the plate is integrated with a layer of commercially available active fiber composite. Considering the First order shear deformation theory individually for each layer of the sandwich plate, a three-dimensional finite element model has been developed. The performance of active fiber composite for the smart control of geometrically nonlinear deflection of the sandwich plates has been studied and numerical results are presented.

Vibration Control of Sandwich Plates

This paper presents the active control of vibrations of sandwich plates using piezoelectric composites (PZC). The top surface of the plate is integrated with the patches of active constrained layer damping treatment. Active fiber composite, one of the commercially available PZCs, is used as the material of the constraining layer of the patches and the constrained layer of the patch is composed of a viscoelastic material. Considering the first order shear deformation theory individually for each layer of the sandwich plate, a three-dimensional finite element model has been developed. The performance of active fiber composite for the smart vibration control of the sandwich plates has been studied and numerical results are presented. Emphasis has also been placed on investigating the effect of variation of piezoelectric fiber orientation angle in the constraining layer on the control authority of the patches.