Electric field responsive origami structures using electrostriction-based active materials

Saad Ahmed; Erika Arrojado; Nirmal Sigamani; Zoubeida Ounaies

doi:10.1117/12.2084785

1 April 2015 Electric field responsive origami structures using electrostriction-based active materials

Saad Ahmed, Erika Arrojado, Nirmal Sigamani, Zoubeida Ounaies

Proceedings Volume 9432, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2015; 943206 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084785
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The objective of origami engineering is to combine origami principles with advanced materials to yield active origami shapes, which fold and unfold in response to external stimuli. We are investigating the use of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE), a relaxor ferroelectric terpolymer, to realize origami-inspired folding and unfolding of structures and to actuate so-called action origami structures. To accomplish these two objectives, we have explored different approaches to the P(VDF-TrFECTFE) polymer actuator construction, ranging from unimorph to multilayered stacks. Electromechanical characterization of the terpolymer-based actuators is conducted with a focus on free strain, force-displacement and blocked force. Moreover dynamic thickness strains of P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) terpolymer at different frequencies ranging from 0.1Hz to 10Hz is also measured. Quantifying the performance of terpolymer-based actuators is important to the design of action origami structures. Following these studies, action origami prototypes based on catapult, flapping butterfly wings and barking fox are actuated and characterization of these prototypes are conducted by studying impact of various parameters such as electric field magnitude and frequency, number of active layers, and actuator dimensions.

Citation Download Citation

Saad Ahmed, Erika Arrojado, Nirmal Sigamani, and Zoubeida Ounaies "Electric field responsive origami structures using electrostriction-based active materials", Proc. SPIE 9432, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials and Composites 2015, 943206 (1 April 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2084785

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