Arguero, Carlos
(2017)
Analysis of Bending in Partially Bonded Structures of Electroadhesive Polymers.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Electroadhesive polymers are a variety of polymers that experience attractive forces under applied voltages and currents. By arranging these polymers in a layered beam-type structure, these attractive forces can be exploited to create an increase in effective bending stiffness. In such a structure, the effective stiffness depends on the electrical signal being applied; when no voltage is present, for example, the structure behaves simply as a stack of inert polymers, analogous to multiple unbonded beams. However, as the applied voltage increases, the effective stiffness increases measurably. In theory, the stiffness would continue to increase with respect to voltage until the structure performed as if it were a single beam of uniform composition. While this increase in performance would suggest many useful applications of such materials, the precise nature of this behavior is unknown. Of particular interest is how the stiffness increases during the ‘intermediate’ composite-beam stage, i.e. before the uniform-beam performance threshold is reached. Characterization of this intermediate voltage-stiffness relationship forms the basis of this thesis. The first analysis is an extension of ‘first principles,’ and is based wholly on applying simple mechanics of beams to empirical results. Following this initial analysis, a more detailed exploration of available literature attempts to survey available theories and methods for measuring stiffness in partially-bonded beam structures. Finally, the most promising of the available methods is/are selected for further experimental analysis, and suggestions are put forward as a basis for future work.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
25 September 2017 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
24 July 2017 |
| Approval Date: |
25 September 2017 |
| Submission Date: |
24 July 2017 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
74 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Swanson School of Engineering > Mechanical Engineering |
| Degree: |
MSME - Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Polymers, Electroadhesion, Bending |
| Additional Information: |
This is the finalized version of the thesis approved by the defense committee. |
| Date Deposited: |
25 Sep 2017 20:53 |
| Last Modified: |
25 Sep 2017 20:53 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/32861 |
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