Design and modelling of an ionic polymer metal composite based biomimetic actuator

Ionic polymer–metal composites, in which they are categorized as smart materials, can change their shapes by the movements of ions due to an external electric field. Ionic polymer–metal composite (IPMC) structures are formed from ionic polymers and a few micron thick metal electrodes coated on two sides of polymer surfaces Because ionic polymers have soft structure, can operate under low voltage and can show large deformation characteristics, they are used as artificial muscles and sensors/actuators elements in various biomimetic applications. Nafion based IPMC actuators were produced in different electrode thicknesses. Firstly, direct current is applied to IPMC actuators and performance of the actuators was measured by the movement of the tip point. In the second stage, it is proposed to use pulse width modulation (PWM) method to increase the performance of actuators. The results were examined and a mathematical model was proposed for the actuators. Finally, as a result of the studies, three different types of biomimetic actuators (elephant hose actuator, Synergist and Agonist-Antagonist muscle act actuator and fish fin actuator) were produced and tested. This work was supported by TUBITAK "The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey" under grant number 111M643.