In-silico design of electrode meso-architecture for shape morphing dielectric elastomers

Martínez-Frutos, Jesús; Ortigosa, Rogelio; Gil, Antonio J.

doi:10.1016/j.jmps.2021.104594

Cited by 13 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…For instance, to maximize in-plane displacement of several discrete points on a prestretched DEA thin sheet, the levelset method has been used to optimize the internal electric fields (20). Recently, Martínez-Frutos et al (21) have developed a novel topology optimization method to optimize electrode mesoarchitectures that maximize and minimize the out-of-plane displacements of several points on a shape-morphing DEA. Separately, Ortigosa and Martínez-Frutos (22) have developed a method to optimize the layout of stiffening elements for shape-morphing DEAs based on solid isotropic material with penalization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Programmed shape-morphing into complex target shapes using architected dielectric elastomer actuators

et al. 2022

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are among the fastest and most energy-efficient, shape-morphing materials. To date, their shapes have been controlled using patterned electrodes or stiffening elements. While their actuated shapes can be analyzed for prescribed configurations of electrodes or stiffening elements (the forward problem), the design of DEAs that morph into target shapes (the inverse problem) has not been fully addressed. Here, we report a simple analytical solution for the inverse design and fabrication of programmable shape-morphing DEAs. To realize the target shape, two mechanisms are combined to locally control the actuation magnitude and direction by patterning the number of local active layers and stiff rings of varying shapes, respectively. Our combined design and fabrication strategy enables the creation of complex DEA architectures that shape-morph into simple target shapes, for instance, those with zero, positive, and negative Gaussian curvatures as well as complex shapes, such as a face.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Programmed shape-morphing into complex target shapes using architected dielectric elastomer actuators

et al. 2022

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“…Furthermore, in other works where topology optimization methods have been efficiently applied with the aim to design auxetic materials [17] and other types of metamaterials, namely, materials with unusual macroscopic properties, where physical intuition is generally not sufficient in order to conceive their non-conventional final designs. Additionally, in the last years, there has been a considerable progress in the design of multifunctional materials [18,19], materials which can be actuated through different physical principles, including thermal, electrical or magnetic stimuli, to name but a few, and that can be used as actuators and energy harvesters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topology optimization-driven design of added rib architecture system for enhanced free vibration response of thin-wall plastic components used in the automotive industry

Remigio-Reyes

Olvera

Rojas-García³

et al. 2022

Int J Adv Manuf Technol

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We are witnessing a relentless paradigm switch in the automotive industry, where traditional combustion engines are being progressively replaced with electric counterparts. In order to compensate for heavy electric engine technology, the plastic components usage in the interior parts of electric vehicles seems to be a reasonable strategy aligned with the lightweight trend as automotive industry top priority. Extremely thin plastic components (ultra-lightweight) attached to ribs-based architectures have been identified as an adequate solution offering a good balance between lightweight and structural/vibrational response of the overall composition. Still, they may yield detrimental features regarding thermal-induced deformations (i.e., warpage and shrinkage) associated with the typical mold injection process for their manufacturing. This paper aims to make use of topology optimization (TO) to determine the precise location of the added rib architecture system for enhanced vibration response of the overall plastic component (thin original plastic part and ribs architecture). Following a constant mass criteria, the topology optimization-driven design of the additional material is replaced with a more convenient ribs-based architecture component, showing a reasonable similarity from vibration standpoint. At a postprocessing stage, the design is analyzed subjected to typical static loading cases, to verify its stiffness properties. Finally, a warpage and shrinkage analysis of the design is carried out, verifying that the final design is not adversely affected according to standard considerations.

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Soft Actuators and Actuation: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

Kalulu,

Chilikwazi,

et al. 2024

Macromol. Rapid Commun.

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Soft actuators are one of the most promising technological advancements with potential solutions to diverse fields’ day‐to‐day challenges. Soft actuators derived from hydrogel materials possess unique features such as flexibility, responsiveness to stimuli, and intricate deformations, making them ideal for soft robotics, artificial muscles, and biomedical applications. This review provides an overview of material composition and design techniques for hydrogel actuators, exploring 3D printing, photopolymerization, cross‐linking, and microfabrication methods for improved actuation. It examines applications of hydrogel actuators in biomedical, soft robotics, bioinspired systems, microfluidics, lab‐on‐a‐chip devices, and environmental, and energy systems. Finally, it discusses challenges, opportunities, advancements, and regulatory aspects related to hydrogel actuators.

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In-silico design of electrode meso-architecture for shape morphing dielectric elastomers

Cited by 13 publications

References 64 publications

Programmed shape-morphing into complex target shapes using architected dielectric elastomer actuators

Programmed shape-morphing into complex target shapes using architected dielectric elastomer actuators

Topology optimization-driven design of added rib architecture system for enhanced free vibration response of thin-wall plastic components used in the automotive industry

Soft Actuators and Actuation: Design, Synthesis, and Applications

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