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Shape memory properties of ionic polymer-metal composites

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The shape memory properties of hydrated Nafion ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) actuators under combined thermal cycling and electrical shape fixing are presented and experimentally demonstrated. By exploiting these new properties the utility of such ionic actuators can be greatly enhanced to include bistability, multi-modal operation and increased actuation range. Shape memory effects were shown when the IPMC was deformed during programming by either an external force or by voltage-induced actuation. Comparison is made to the shape memory effects in hydrated raw Nafion membrane. It was observed that shape memory effects undergo slow decay, with different programming methods and subsequent electrical excitation exhibiting different decay profiles.

Original languageEnglish
Article number112002
Number of pages8
JournalSmart Materials and Structures
Volume21
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

Research Groups and Themes

  • Tactile Action Perception

Keywords

  • shape memory polymer
  • IPMC

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