IPMC

Inspired by the canal neuromasts of fish, this study explores how subdermal geometries act as mechanical filters to dampen environmental noise. An analytical model was developed along with a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) simulation of the deformation of an Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) sensor within a designed canal system. This project bridges biological sensing theory with advanced computational modeling to enable high-resolution detection of localized flow events.

This project focuses on the physical fabrication and dynamic testing of a bionic sensing canal designed for underwater autonomy. Using a scaled model with integrated IPMC sensors, I conducted experimental flume testing to validate the system’s ability to detect dipole stimuli. The results demonstrate a scalable approach to creating “smart” subdermal sensors that provide high-resolution environmental awareness for autonomous platforms.

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), have been shown to exhibit a unique two-way transduction ability – allowing for the capacity of both sensing and actuation. Prior, an in-depth analysis of the dominant behaviors of IPMC transduction has been disseminated into an all-encompassing model that accounts for the complex characteristics that entail IPMC physics. In this study, the sensing aspects of the model previously developed have been further expanded to include Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) physics, supplanting the prescribed displacement within the model with conditions similar to an in-lab test chamber. The research proposed establishes a basis for expanding IPMC modeling to include FSI and further characterization of the IPMC transduction phenomena.

The soft electroactive polymer material, ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC), has been used in several applications of soft-robotics …

Designed a small-scale vortex flow meter with an interior diameter of 10 mm and implemented a 5 mm rectangular IPMC sensor to detect the frequency of vortices shedding from a bluff body. SLA printed and wired fully functional prototype. Performed COMSOL fluidstructure analysis to verify acquired experimental data.

In this study, we aim to use several imaging and image processing techniques by developing a computer vision-based code within Wolfram Mathematica for the purpose of tracking sensor deflection and travel velocity of an IPMC sensor.

Book chapter discusing the current advances and implementation of the IPMC-based artificial muscles. This includes an overview of the material and fabrication techniques, examples of bioinspired actuator and sensor designs, utilization of shape memory properties and segmented electrodes for more complex actuation, as well as the application and performance of fabricated devices in underwater environments.

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) have been studied extensively in the field of actuation and sensing and have shown to have very …

The multiple-shape-memory ionic polymer–metal composite (MSM-IPMC) actuator can demonstrate complex 3D deformation. The MSM-IPMC has …