Folding actuation and locomotion of novel magneto-active elastomer (MAE) composites

Paris Von Lockette, Robert Sheridan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magneto-active elastomers (also called magnetorheological elastomers) are most often used in vibration attenuation application due to their ability to increase in shear modulus under a magnetic field. These shear-stiffening materials are generally comprised of soft-magnetic iron particles embedded in a rubbery elastomer matrix. More recently researchers have begun fabricating MAEs using hard-magnetic particles such as barium ferrite. Under the influence of uniform magnetic fields these hard-magnetic MAEs have shown large deformation bending behaviors resulting from magnetic torques acting on the distributed particles and consequently highlight their ability for use as remotely powered actuators. Using the magnetic-torque-driven hard-magnetic MAE materials and an unfilled silicone elastomer, this work develops novel composite geometries for actuation and locomotion. MAE materials are fabricated using 30% v/v 325 mesh barium ferrite particles in Dow Corning HS II silicone elastomers. MAE materials are cured in a 2T magnetic field to create magnetically aligned (anisotropic) materials as confirmed by vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Gelest optical encapsulant is used as the uniflled elastomer material. Mechanical actuation tests of cantilevers in bending and of accordion folding structures highlight the ability of the material to perform work in moderate, uniform fields of μ0 = 150mt. Computational simulations are developed for comparison. Folding structures are also investigated as a means to produce untethered locomotion across a flat surface when subjected to an alternating field similar to scratch drive actuators; geometries investigated show promising results.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDevelopment and Characterization of Multifunctional Materials; Modeling, Simulation and Control of Adaptive Systems; Integrated System Design and Implementation
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers
ISBN (Print)9780791856031
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventASME 2013 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2013 - Snowbird, UT, United States
Duration: Sep 16 2013Sep 18 2013

Publication series

NameASME 2013 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2013
Volume1

Other

OtherASME 2013 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySnowbird, UT
Period9/16/139/18/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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