Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators
Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, February 2005.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | eng |
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2008
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30349 |
| _version_ | 1811097345812594688 |
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| author | Anquetil, Patrick A. T. (Patrick Armand T.), 1973- |
| author2 | Ian W. Hunter. |
| author_facet | Ian W. Hunter. Anquetil, Patrick A. T. (Patrick Armand T.), 1973- |
| author_sort | Anquetil, Patrick A. T. (Patrick Armand T.), 1973- |
| collection | MIT |
| description | Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, February 2005. |
| first_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:58:07Z |
| format | Thesis |
| id | mit-1721.1/30349 |
| institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2024-09-23T16:58:07Z |
| publishDate | 2008 |
| publisher | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | mit-1721.1/303492020-04-02T21:50:43Z Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators Anquetil, Patrick A. T. (Patrick Armand T.), 1973- Ian W. Hunter. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, February 2005. Vita. Leaf 239 blank. Includes bibliographical references. The development of powerful and efficient artificial muscles that mimic Nature will profoundly affect engineering sciences including robotics and prosthetics, propulsion systems, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Biological systems driven by muscle out-perform human-engineered systems in many key aspects. For example, muscle endows animals with a level of dexterity and speed that has yet to be emulated by even the most complex robotic system to date. Conducting polymers were chosen for research as actuators, based on a review of the relevant properties of all known actuators and active materials. Key features of conducting polymer actuators include low drive voltages (1 - 2 V) and high active strength (10 - 40 MPa) but moderate active strains (2 %). Active strains of 20 %, which human skeletal muscle is capable of, are desirable for applications in life-like robotics, artificial prostheses or medical devices. This thesis focuses on two approaches to create large contraction in conducting polymer actuators. The first strategy utilizes polypyrrole (PPy), a conducting polymer actuator material that contracts and expands based on a bulk ion swelling mechanism. Optimization of the polymer activation environment via room temperature ionic liquids enables PPy actuators to generate large contractions (16.3 % recoverable strain at 2.5 MPa, 21 % max) at slow speeds (0.4 %/s). In addition, cycle life can reach 10⁵ cycles without significant polymer degradation. This thesis presents an in-depth characterization of the behavior of polypyrrole actuators in room temperature 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate liquid salt electrolyte. (cont.) The characterization includes the assessment of passive and electroactive mechanical properties as well as electrical and morphological properties. Using Nature's actin-myosin molecular engine as a source of inspiration, the second approach uses molecular mechanisms to create motion. In this bottom-up approach molecules are rationally designed from the molecular level for specific actuation properties. Such active molecular building blocks include shape changing, load bearing, passively deformable or hinge-like molecular elements. Several novel materials based on contractile molecular design were synthesized and their active properties characterized. by Patrick A.T. Anquetil. Ph.D. 2008-03-26T20:30:36Z 2008-03-26T20:30:36Z 2004 2005 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30349 61134551 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 239 leaves application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| spellingShingle | Mechanical Engineering. Anquetil, Patrick A. T. (Patrick Armand T.), 1973- Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title | Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title_full | Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title_fullStr | Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title_short | Large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| title_sort | large contraction conducting polymer molecular actuators |
| topic | Mechanical Engineering. |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/30349 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anquetilpatrickatpatrickarmandt1973 largecontractionconductingpolymermolecularactuators |