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Carbon Nanofiber Hybrid Actuators: Part II - Solid Electrolyte-based

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Atul Miskin

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Phil Kang

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Sachin Jain

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Suhasini Narasimhadevara

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Douglas Hurd

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Vishal Shinde

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Mark J. Schulz

Mechanical Engineering, Smart Structures Bio-Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA, mark.j.schulz{at}uc.edu

Vesselin Shanov

Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Peng He

Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

F. J. Boerio

Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Donglu Shi

Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

Subrahmin Srivinas

Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA

The objective of this study (Part II) paper is to develop a dry actuator for wider application than the wet actuator. To form a dry actuator, a carbon nanofiber (CNF) actuator is based on a solid polymer electrolyte (SPE). The SPE film is prepared from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an ion-exchange material, a plasticizer, and a solvent by the solution casting method. Ion conductivity studies were carried out to characterize the electrochemical properties of the SPE. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed to understand the electrochemical cell of the dry actuator. The actuator was tested in a dry environment at various voltages and frequencies and the tip displacement was measured using a laser displacement sensor. Compared to previous single wall carbon nanotube buckypaper actuators, the dry-based CNF actuator requires a little higher voltage to actuate, but it is two orders of magnitude lower in cost. Compared to the liquid-based actuator, the solid electrolyte-based actuator is slower and the displacements are smaller. These results have verified the principle of the CNF dry actuator. Further development of this new smart material could lead to practical smart structures applications in which the CNF hybrid material could be used as a muscle layer on structures, or as the structural material itself.

Key Words: carbon nanofiber • electrochemical actuator • solid electrolyte • smart structural material

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, Vol. 17, No. 3, 191-197 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1045389X06057531


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