Muscle
Larry Artificial Ballard Center for Self-Organizing and Intelligent Systems (CSOIS), Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering Utah State University
Date: 12/Jan/07
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Presentation Outline
References To Probe Further Overview of Artificial Muscle Major Uses of Artificial Muscle Principle of Operation (electric) Major Specifications (electric) Advantages (electric) Disadvantages (electric) Principle of Operation (Ionic) Major Specifications (Ionic) Advantages (Ionic) Disadvantages (Ionic) Where to Buy
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References
http://electrochem.cwru.edu/ed/encycl/art-p02-elact http://www.popsci.com/popsci/futurebody/822d9371
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To Explore Further
http://ndeaa.jpl.nasa.gov/nasa-nde/lommas/eap/EAP-
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Overview of Artificial Muscle
There are several different types of artificial muscle and not all of it is activated by electrical voltage or current. In this article however I will focus on the electronic artificial muscle.
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Overview of Artificial Muscle
There are two divisions of Electro-Active Polymers (EAP): Electronic and Ionic. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Electronic EAPs rely on the motion of electrons as opposed to Ionic EAPs which rely on the motion of ions
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Some Uses for Artificial Muscle
Valve Controllers Pumps Force and Pressure sensors Acoustic Speakers Linear Position Actuators Catheter Guide Wires
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Principle of Operation (Electronic)
An example of an electric EAP is the dielectric elastomer, which is a film in which thin carbon-based electrodes sandwich a soft plastic like silicone or acrylic. Electricity draws the electrodes together, squeezing the plastic, which expands to up to three times its normal area in about half a second. Actuators made of dielectric elastomers exert up to 30 times as much force, gram for gram, as human muscle. But they require several thousand volts of electricity.
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Common Types of Electronic EAP
Dielectric EAP Electrostrictive Graft Elastomers Electrostrictive Paper Elastomers Electro-Viscoelastic Ferroelectric Polymers
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Advantages
Exhibit rapid response (milliseconds) Can hold strain under dc activation Induces relatively large actuation forces Exhibits high mechanical energy density Can operate for a long time in room conditions
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Disadvantages
Requires high voltages (~100 MV/meter). Recent development allowed for (~20 MV/meter) in the Ferroelectric EAP Independent of the voltage polarity, it produces mostly monopolar actuation due to associated electrostriction effect.
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Principle of Operation (Ionic)
An example of an ionic EAP are the Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC). They consist of two metal-foil electrodes sandwiching a wet, Teflon-like plastic soaked with lithium ions. Twelve volts cause the lithium ions, which are positively charged, to migrate toward the negatively charged foil layer, bulking up that side of the actuator and bending the IPMC
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Common Types of Ionic EAP
Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) Conductive Polymers (CP) Electro-Rheological Fluids (ERF) Ionic Polymer Gels (IPG) Ionic Polymer Metallic Composite (IPMC)
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Advantages
Natural bi-directional actuation that depends on th...