Sensing and Modulating Materials Properties Using Piezo-Electric Response Elements

Abstract

Polymer composites experience unique and often complex stress fields. To date, these stresses have been mitigated by creating polymers with greater tolerance to failure or through self-healing mechanisms implemented after the onset of damage. In each case, the composite remains uniform, despite experiencing non-uniform stress fields. Moreover, each composite experiences an individual and unique set of stress fields. We propose to develop techniques that extend self- healing beyond mechanical damage into a regime of self-improvement where each material can adapt to its unique stress field. In this program, our vision is to develop materials that alter their modulus in response to mechanical load, sensing the degree of alteration and adjusting their conditions - a material that senses its environment and adjusts its properties. This methodology is synergistic with our other efforts in this field - controlling morphogenetic remodeling with reaction/diffusion - as it provides a unique mechanism for control of these process, while bringing in novel methodologies of enabling CPU driven control of materials properties and the potential for CPU guided morphing of materials.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 11, 2018
Source ID
FA95501810229

Entities

People

  • Aaron P Esser-Kahn

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • United States Air Force
  • University of Chicago

Tags

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.