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We report the use of non-contact optical interferometric microscopy (OIM) for surface topographic profiling. A Linnik optical configuration is used to create interferograms of an object surface. When the coherence condition between the two beams is met the phase information of the object surface can be extracted to establish its topographic contour image. Using a four-image phase-shifted algorithm with the synchronization of a piezoelectric actuator reference mirror positioning, the present single camera OIM can reconstruct a surface topography with a field of view of 312 µm × 234 µm, axial resolution of 3.31 nm, and lateral resolution of 488 nm, and an estimated maximum topography depth of 270 nm.

Artificial muscle actuators demonstrate great potential for improving the quality of life. Recently, polymer muscle actuators have attracted attention due to their inexpensive and highly versatile methods of fabrication along with decent mechanical properties that can mimic those of natural muscles. The aim of this research is to investigate the usability of a magnetite-doped polymer powder, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), for artificial muscle actuators through an inexpensive method of production. PDMS samples doped with different levels of magnetite were fabricated using molds that were produced by additive manufacturing. Subsequently, the samples were magnetically and mechanically characterized by investigation of strength, elastic modulus, failure strain and permittivity, which are vital to meet the load capacity. The test results demonstrated that the mechanical and magnetic properties could be tailored as a function of doping level. Matching the mechanical response of these artificial components to those of artificial muscles will reduce the residual stresses, enhance the artificial muscle life and allow wider use of these materials for biomedical applications. This research rendered fabrication of molds possible for various applications where geometric customization of the actuator is required to meet endure severe loads, thanks to the freeform nature of additive manufacturing.

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