Nonlinear analysis of a fiber-reinforced tubular conducting polymer-based soft actuator

TL;DR

This paper develops an analytical model for a fiber-reinforced tubular conducting polymer actuator, predicting its electrochemical and mechanical behavior under voltage, validated against experimental data and analyzing parameter effects.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled electrochemical-mechanical analytical model for FTCP actuators, incorporating diffusion, deformation, and finite deformation theory.

Findings

Model accurately predicts charge diffusion and deformation.

Electrical and geometrical parameters significantly influence performance.

Validated against experimental results.

Abstract

This study presents the analytical modeling of a fiber-reinforced tubular conducting polymer (FTCP) actuator. The FTCP actuator is a low voltage-driven electroactive polymer arranged in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical model is developed following an electrical circuit analogy that predicts the charge diffused inside the actuator for an applied voltage. An empirical relation is applied to couple the two internal phenomena, viz., diffusion of the ions and mechanical deformation. Further, the finite deformation theory is applied to predict the blocked force and free strain of the FTCP actuator. The developed model is consistent with existing experimental results for an applied voltage. In addition, the effect of various electrical and geometrical parameters on the performance of the actuator is addressed.