A staggered explicit–implicit finite element formulation for electroactive polymers

Finite element modeling of the electromechanical coupling in electroactive polymers

Due to the large strain capability, electroactive polymers (EAPs) are promising materials for several engineering applications, for example: they can be used as actuators and sensors in cameras, pumps, valves, etc. Generally speaking, the mode of action in EAPs is based on Coulomb forces generated by electric field that causes the polymer membrane to contract in the thickness direction. In this...

Electroactive polymers for sensing

Electromechanical coupling in electroactive polymers (EAPs) has been widely applied for actuation and is also being increasingly investigated for sensing chemical and mechanical stimuli. EAPs are a unique class of materials, with low-moduli high-strain capabilities and the ability to conform to surfaces of different shapes. These features make them attractive for applications such as wearable s...

A New Finite Element Formulation for Electromechanics

ABSTRACT A new finite element formulation for the solution of electromechanical boundary value problems is presented. As opposed to the standard formulation that utilizes a scalar electric potential as nodal variables, this new formulation implements a vector potential from which components of electric displacement are derived. For linear piezoelectric materials with positive definite material ...

Electroactive Polymers for Robotic Applications

Finite Element Formulation for aBa ed , Fluid { Loaded , Finite Cylindrical

A new method for obtaining the response of a baaed, uid{loaded, nite cylindrical shell using the nite element method is presented. The Galerkin nite element formulation for this problem utilizes a Neumann Green's function representation of the pressure loading on the shell. By representing the pressure loading in this manner, only the structure need be discretized. Both C 0 and C 1 nite element...