Knowledge-Driven Design and Optimization of New Types of Yarn and Fiber Artificial Muscles
Abstract
Using fundamental theoretical and experimental studies of structure-properties for these muscles,as well as extension to new muscle topologies and electrochemical actuation, we plan to mitigatepresent problems with these muscles: (1) the maximum realized full-cycle energy conversionefficiency is only 1.6% for electrochemical muscles and below this for thermal muscles, (2) theabsence of a natural latching state and limitation of full cycle actuation rate for thermallypowered muscles, and (3) the partial cancelation of stroke for electrochemically poweredmuscles due to oppositely directed strokes for anodic to cathodic potentials changes.Additionally, we plan to use the deep understanding of actuation mechanisms that we obtainfrom these fundamental studies to transition from expensive CNT yarns to inexpensive yarns forelectrothermally, electrochemically, and chemically powered muscles. Our new muscle types,herein selected for focused investigation, were discovered near the conclusion of our previousAFOSR sponsored project, and none of the described results have yet been published, patentfiled, or otherwise publically disclosed. These include (1) yarn-based hydrid muscles that haveradically new topologies and even higher cycle rate and gravimetric power and work duringcontraction than are previously described CNT hybrid muscles and (2) electrochemical yarnmuscles that surprising increase stroke up to potential scan rates of ?1 V/s, and have large strokesince anodic and cathodic strokes combine additively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 19, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810510
Entities
People
- Ray H. Baughman
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Texas at Dallas