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Modeling dynamic swelling of polymer-based artificial muscles.

Shefik Bowen1, Daniel T Hallinan1

  • 1Department of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering and Aero-propulsion, Mechatronics, and Energy Center, Florida A&M University-Florida State University (FAMU-FSU) College of Engineering, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA. dhallinan@eng.famu.fsu.edu.

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|September 9, 2022
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Summary

Artificial muscles made from twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) fibers show potential for lightweight actuation. Optimizing fiber dimensions and utilizing voltage-assisted ion migration are key to achieving rapid, muscle-like response times.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Science
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Polymer-based artificial muscles offer lightweight, flexible actuation for specialized applications.
  • Achieving desired performance metrics (strain, rate, work) necessitates careful material and geometric design.
  • Twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) fibers show promise for significant actuation via radial swelling.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the actuation of advanced polymers, specifically TCP fibers, for defining design metrics.
  • To simulate transient swelling of polymeric networks considering diffusion and ion migration.
  • To evaluate the impact of polymer swelling on transport phenomena and quantify work output.

Main Methods:

  • Combined analytical thermodynamic modeling (Flory-Rehner Theory) with numerical transport models.
  • Simulated transient swelling of polymer fibers, including parametric studies and experimental validation.
  • Accounted for local length increases due to solvent presence and modeled anisotropic swelling.

Main Results:

  • Increased transport distance prolongs swelling equilibrium time, but voltage application accelerates it via ion migration.
  • Sub-second response times, comparable to natural muscles, require dimensions below 100 micrometers.
  • Quantified the impact of polymer swelling on transport and the benefits of anisotropic swelling and constant modulus.

Conclusions:

  • Modeling polymer swelling is crucial for designing effective artificial muscles.
  • Optimizing fiber dimensions and leveraging electrokinetic effects are essential for high-performance TCP artificial muscles.
  • This research provides a framework for designing advanced polymer actuators with tailored properties.