Brittany Newell

Novel pre-strain method for dielectric electroactive polymers

Dielectric electroactive polymers have demonstrated their significant potential in a variety of applications due to their material strength and elastomeric material properties. Mechanical pre-strain has been shown to enhance material actuation potential significantly. However, with this enhancement comes sacrifices. Mechanical pre-strain imposes a stiff mechanical boundary on the dielectric material in order to maintain the strain. In this research, investigations were made into the mechanisms of mechanical pre-strain and into alternate pre-strain methods. These studies discovered alternate methods capable of producing enhanced pre-strains and final actuation without the addition of the solid strain boundary.

Chemically pre-strained dielectric elastomers finite element analysis

The applications and feasibility of utilizing dielectric elastomer electroactive polymers in the industrial and medical sectors has drastically increased in recent years due to significant improvements in actuation potential, manufacturing, the introduction of new materials and modeling capabilities. One such development is the introduction of chemical pre-strain as a method of providing enhanced actuation. The purpose of this study was to utilize finite element analysis to analyze the mechanical actuation of an industrial fluoropolymer with chemical induced pre-strain and validate the model with experiential results. Results generated from the finite element analysis showed similar trends to results produced experimentally.

Design and Evaluation of an Embedded Sensor in a Polymer Sealing Structure “Smart Seal”

Research developed an embedded sensor system within an o-ring capable of monitoring seal life and health. An electronic system interfacing signal generation and processing was used to determine if the embedded sensor system was capable of capturing and responding to physical changes within an o-ring. Signals were conditioned in the pico-farad (pF) range with example failures exhibiting signal changes on the order of 30% to over 100%. Physical prototype results show that the embedded sensor system responds to load conditions (i.e., preload), cuts, puncture and chemical incompatibility.Copyright

Industrial capacitance sensors and actuators

In-line monitoring of the integrity of industrial components is critical for determining overall system life and stability which in turn promotes safety for personnel and equipment. However, sensing is not the only step in the process, sensing and then subsequent response can create a full-loop interactive system to not only predict failure but also prevent its occurrence. Ideal measurement and response systems should be designed to minimize required material and processing adjustments to current standardized components. This research depicts methods and proof of concept for monitoring the integrity of industrial systems using capacitance sensors created from common industrial materials and manufacturing processes in three industrial applications: tires, hydraulic hoses, and seals. Furthermore, the work provides a means to create an actuation response using electroactive polymers composed of the same industrial materials providing a sensing and response loop. This article depicts three specific applications of this technology and industrial products that can be used to improve the reliability of human operated equipment.