This article deals with the control-oriented energy-based modeling of ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) patches using multiscale infinite dimensional port-Hamiltonian formulations and Lagrange multipliers. Inspired by work Nishida et al. in 2012, but considering different assumptions, this f...

Ionic polymer-metal composites ~IPMCs! consist of a polyelectrolyte membrane ~usually, Nafion or Flemion! plated on both faces by a noble metal, and is neutralized with certain counter ions that balance the electrical charge of the anions covalently fixed to the backbone membrane. In the hydrated state ~or in the presence of other suitable solvents!, the composite is a soft actuator and sensor....

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of posterior, metal-free polymer crowns with and without a glass-fiber framework, in comparison to metal-ceramic crowns. METHODS After randomisation, 80 single crowns, manufactured from a newly designed polymer composite, were set in posterior teeth. Half of these received a glass-fiber framework, while half were prepar...

This review summarizes the current state of polymer composites used as dielectric materials for energy storage. The particular focus is on materials: polymers serving as the matrix, inorganic fillers used to increase the effective dielectric constant, and various recent investigations of functionalization of metal oxide fillers to improve compatibility with polymers. We review the recent litera...

Introduction Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are well known for their excellent mechanical and conductivity properties. These properties make SWCNTs ideal candidates as reinforcement elements in polymer composites [1]. In composite manufacturing, the main problem is the SWCNTs agglomeration in polymer matrix. This phenomenon limits the SWCNTs loading in composite fibers to 2-5 wt % of S...

History and theory of plasma polymerization is reviewed below. The deposition process of metal/plasma polymer composite films and their properties are shortly discussed. The experimental part of the paper describes the preparation procedure and the properties of composite TiOx/hydrocarbon plasma polymer films. The composite films have been prepared by a simultaneous sputtering in argon from two...

This paper presents feedforward, feedback and two-degree-of-freedom control applied to an Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) actuator. It presents a high potential for development of miniature robots and biomedical devices and artificial muscles. We have reported in the last few years that dehydration treatment improves the electrical controllability of bending in Selemion CMV-based IPMCs. We...

This paper presents the design, development and characterization of contractile water jet thruster (CWJT) for mini underwater robot. Instead of electric motor, this CWJT utilizes the Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) as the actuator to generate the water jet. The main focus of this paper is to analyze the conceptual design of the proposed CWJT which would determine the thrust force value, je...