J. Bluhm, J. Schröder, S. Serdas

Abstract

Multifunctional materials as the Electroactive Polymers (EAPs) belong to the class of smart materials. These materials can change their properties due to external influences and/or active energy supply. Inspired by the behavior of biological systems, the development and manufacture of EAPs in view of new applications in engineering, material science and medicine is a subject of international research. The aim of the research project is the development of a continuum-based model and its algorithmic implementation for the description of the behavior of ionic EAPs. These materials consist of a network of polymer fibers, the pore space is filled with liquid and cations. The deformation of ionic EAPs is driven by the motion of the cations (diffusion) triggered by an electric field. An advantage of ionic EAPs is that only a few volts are needed for the actuation, the disadvantage is that they must be kept moist. For the continuum mechanical based description of the behavior of these multiphase materials, consisting of the phases solid (polymer matrix), liquid and ions, the Theory of Porous Media will be used. In view of the electro and thermo-chemomechanical coupling effects in ionic EAPs, the balance equations of electrodynamics will be considered. Predictions concerning an efficient mode of action of the ionic EAPs depending on the humidity of the polymer matrix shall be enabled.

References

J. Bluhm, S. Serdas and J. Schröder [2016], "Theoretical framework of modeling of ionic eaps within the Theory of Porous Media",  Archive of Applied Mechanics

P. Leichsenring, S. Serdas, T. Wallmersperger, J. Bluhm and J. Schröder [2017], "Electro-chemical aspects of IPMCs within the framework of the Theory of Porous Media", Smart Materials and Structures