Artificial Skin Utilizing Electroactive Polymer Plastized Gels (EPPGs)

Project Summary

EPPG-Based Artificial Skin & Hydrodynamic Sensing

In fish and amphibians, skin acts as a sophisticated flow-sensing interface. This research translates that biological function into an engineered sensing system for underwater platforms.

Technical Approach & Methodology:

• Design & Fabrication: Developed a soft, transparent, surface-mounted skin using electroactive plasticized polymer gels (EPPGs) integrated onto a rigid rectangular plate.

• Fluid Dynamic Context: Established the theoretical force distributions for flow over canonical shapes to predict sensor response.

• Experimental Testing: Conducted comprehensive flow tank testing to evaluate sensor sensitivity and voltage generation under varying hydrodynamic loads.

• Multiphysics Simulation: Developed a computational model in COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate gel deformation, providing a high-fidelity comparison between theoretical predictions and experimental results.

This work provides a framework for self-powered, transparent, “smart” skins that enable underwater vehicles to perceive their environment with the same tactile sensitivity as biological organisms.