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Polyvinyl Chloride Gels: Theoretical Modeling Of Their Actuation Mechanism And Characterization Of Their Properties, Zachary Frank
Polyvinyl Chloride Gels: Theoretical Modeling Of Their Actuation Mechanism And Characterization Of Their Properties, Zachary Frank
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gels are an electroactive polymer smart material which has been considered in a variety of actuator applications. Their large deformation, fast response rates, optical transparency, and soft nature has made them a key area of interest in fields ranging from soft robotics to optics. PVC gels are made from PVC mixed with large quantities of plasticizer, such as dibutyl adipate (DBA). When a voltage is applied, the gel experiences an “anodophilic” deformation (in which it moves preferentially towards the anode). This unique characteristic is the result of a charge buildup near the anode surface, which creates electromechanical …
Dynamic Modeling Of Soft Robotic Dielectric Elastomer Actuator, Abdullah De Jesus El Atrache Ceballos
Dynamic Modeling Of Soft Robotic Dielectric Elastomer Actuator, Abdullah De Jesus El Atrache Ceballos
Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses
Dielectric elastomers actuators (DEAs) are among the preferred materials for developing lightweight, high compliance and energy efficient driven mechanisms for soft robots. Simple DEAs consist mostly of a homogeneous elastomeric materials that transduce electrical energy into mechanical deformation by means of electrostatic attraction forces from coated electrodes. Furthermore, stacking multiple single DEAs can escalate the total mechanical displacement performed by the actuator, such is the case of multilayer DEAs. The presented research proposes a model for the dynamical characterization of multilayer DEAs in the mechanical and electrical domain. The analytical model is derived by using free body diagrams and lumped …
Inverted Fluorescence Microscope, Matthew B. Pfeiffer, Spencer George Hann, Thomas James Eggenberger, Trevor Lee Blythe
Inverted Fluorescence Microscope, Matthew B. Pfeiffer, Spencer George Hann, Thomas James Eggenberger, Trevor Lee Blythe
Mechanical Engineering
Team F13 is composed of Trevor Blythe, Spencer Hann, Matthew Pfeiffer, and Thomas Eggenberger. We are all majoring in mechanical engineering and in our final year of study here at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This project is a continuation of a 2019-2020 senior project. The previous team designed and built a functioning inverted fluorescence microscope (IFM) from scratch. This device was created as a lab tool for undergraduate students to be able to perform experiments on microfluidic devices constructed in Cal Poly’s Microfabrication Laboratory. Although substantially functional, several design constraints had not yet been met. Our team has improved …