Modeling the transduction of IPMC in 3D configurations

摘要

The Finite Element Analyze (FEA) methods have proven to be applicable for modeling the basic transduction sheets(cantilevers) of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC). Physical models can simulate ion transport and corresponding strain. More complicated models also add the effect of the electrode, both surface and electrochemical ones. In this work we propose a FEA model for IPMC materials of different shapes. The new model is three dimensional. When dealing with 3D transduction, the electrode surface geometrical properties of IPMC becomes more important as well. For instance, there are several ways how to attach the electrodes to a cylindrical IPMC to get various deformation modes. The proposed model considers the electrode placement and provides sufficiently accurate transduction estimate for more complicated IPMC structures.