This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 9058, including the Title Page, Copyright information, Table of Contents, Introduction (if any), and Conference Committee listing.

A finite element analysis of crack growth is carried out in an in nite center-cracked shape memory alloy plate subjected to thermal variations under plane strain mode I constant applied loading. Crack is assumed to propagate when the energy release rate reaches a material specific critical value. The virtual crack growth technique is employed to calculate the energy release rate, which was shown to increase an order of magnitude at constant applied loading as a result of phase transformation induced by thermal variations.¹ A fracture toughening is observed associated with the energy dissipated by the transformed material in the wake of the growing crack and its sensitivity over key thermomechanical parameters is presented.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) show size effect in their response. The critical stresses, for instance, for the start of martensite and austenite transformations are reported to increase in some SMA wires for diameters below 100 μm. Simulation of such a behavior cannot be achieved using conventional theories that lack an intrinsic length scale in their constitutive modeling. To enable the size effect, a thermodynamically consistent constitutive model is developed, that in addition to conventional internal variables of martensitic volume fraction and transformation strain, contains the spatial gradient of martensitic volume fraction as an internal variable. The developed theory is simplified for 1D cases and analytical solutions for pure bending of SMA beams are presented. The gradient model captures the size effect in the response of the studied SMA structures.

Shape memory alloy constitutive models have been shown to accurately predict 1-D and 3-D material response under general thermomechanical loading. As with any constitutive model, however, the degree to which simulation results match experimental data is dependent on the accurate calibration of model parameters. This work presents a general framework for the identi cation of SMA material parameters using numerical optimization methods and experimental results that include both 1-D data (i.e., stress-strain and strain-temperature line plots) as well as 2-D digital image correlation (DIC) strain eld data. The optimization framework is verified using 1-D and 3-D nite-element-based simulated results as pseudo-experimental data. The study shows that the proposed optimization methods can identify SMA parameters in an automated fashion using data taken from multiple types of experiment, identifying parameters that t very closely to the pseudo-experimental data.

In this work, a constitutive model is developed that describe the behavior of shape memory alloys undergoing a large number of cycles, developing internal damage, and eventually failing. Physical mechanisms associated with martensitic phase transformation occurring during cyclic loadings such as transformation strain generation and recovery, transformation-induced plasticity, and fatigue damage are all taken into account within a thermo-dynamically consistent framework. Fatigue damage is described utilizing a continuum theory of damage. The damage growth rate has been formulated as a function of both the stress state and also the magnitude of the transformation strain, while the complete or partial nature of the transformation cycles is also considered as per experimental observations. Simulation results from the model developed are compared to uniaxial actuation fatigue tests at different stress levels. It is shown that both lifetime and the evolution irrecoverable strain can be accurately simulated.

Debonding of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires in SMA reinforced polymer matrix composites is a complex phenomenon compared to other fabric fiber debonding in similar matrix composites. This paper focuses on experimental study and analytical correlation of stress required for debonding of thermal SMA actuator wire reinforced composites. Fiber pull-out tests are carried out on thermal SMA actuator at parent state to understand the effect of stress induced detwinned martensites. An ASTM standard is followed as benchmark method for fiber pull-out test. Debonding stress is derived with the help of non-local shear-lag theory applied to elasto-plastic interface. Furthermore, experimental investigations are carried out to study the effect of Laser shot peening on SMA surface to improve the interfacial strength. Variation in debonding stress due to length of SMA wire reinforced in epoxy are investigated for non-peened and peened SMA wires. Experimental results of interfacial strength variation due to various L/d ratio for non-peened and peened SMA actuator wires in epoxy matrix are discussed.

Nanocomposites; including nano-materials such as nano-particles, nanoclays, nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanosheets; are of significant importance in the rapidly developing field of nanotechnology. Due to the nanometer size of these inclusions, their physicochemical characteristics differ significantly from those of micron size and bulk materials. The field of nanocomposites involves the study of multiphase materials where at least one of the constituent phases has one dimension less than 100 nm. This is the range where the phenomena associated with the atomic and molecular interaction strongly influence the macroscopic properties of materials. Since the building blocks of nanocomposites are at nanoscale, they have an enormous surface area with numerous interfaces between the two intermix phases. The special properties of the nano-composite arise from the interaction of its phases at the interface and/or interphase regions. By contrast, in a conventional composite based on micrometer sized filler such as carbon fibers, the interfaces between the filler and matrix constitutes have a much smaller surface-to-volume fraction of the bulk materials, and hence influence the properties of the host structure to a much smaller extent. The optimum amount of nanomaterials in the nanocomposites depends on the filler size, shape, homogeneity of particles distribution, and the interfacial bonding properties between the fillers and matrix. The promise of nanocomposites lies in their multifunctionality, i.e., the possibility of realizing unique combination of properties unachievable with traditional materials. The challenges in reaching this promise are tremendous. They include control over the distribution in size and dispersion of the nanosize constituents, and tailoring and understanding the role of interfaces between structurally or chemically dissimilar phases on bulk properties. While the properties of the matrix can be improved by the inclusions of nanomaterials, the properties of the fibers can also be improved by the growth of nanotubes on the fibers. The combination of the two will produce super-performing materials, not currently available. Since the improvement of fiber starts with carbon nanotube grown on micron-size fibers (and matrix with a nanomaterial) to give the macro-composite, this process is a bottom-up “hierarchical” advanced manufacturing process, and since the resulting nanocomposites will have “multifunctionality” with improve properties in various functional areas such as chemical and fire resistance, damping, stiffness, strength, fracture toughness, EMI shielding, and electrical and thermal conductivity, the resulting nanocomposites are in fact “multifunctional hierarchical nanocomposites.” In this paper, the current state of knowledge in processing, performance, and characterization of these materials are addressed.

Electrochemical super-capacitors have become one of the most important topics in both academia and industry as novel energy storage devices because of their high power density, long life cycles, and high charge/discharge efficiency. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the development of multifunctional structural energy storage devices such as structural super-capacitors for applications in aerospace, automobiles and portable electronics. These multifunctional structural super-capacitors provide lighter structures combining energy storage and load bearing functionalities. Due to their superior materials properties, carbon fiber composites have been widely used in structural applications for aerospace and automotive industries. Besides, carbon fiber has good electrical conductivity which will provide lower equivalent series resistance; therefore, it can be an excellent candidate for structural energy storage applications. Hence, this paper is focused on performing a pilot study for using nanowire/carbon fiber hybrids as building materials for structural energy storage materials; aiming at enhancing the charge/discharge rate and energy density. This hybrid material combines the high specific surface area of carbon fiber and pseudo-capacitive effect of metal oxide nanowires which were grown hydrothermally in an aligned fashion on carbon fibers. The aligned nanowire array could provide a higher specific surface area that leads to high electrode-electrolyte contact area and fast ion diffusion rates. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and XRay Diffraction (XRD) measurements were used for the initial characterization of this nanowire/carbon fiber hybrid material system. Electrochemical testing has been performed using a potentio-galvanostat. The results show that gold sputtered nanowire hybrid carbon fiber provides 65.9% better performance than bare carbon fiber cloth as super-capacitor.

The paper presents results associated with the development of a carbon fiber weave based composite material with power storage capability. In the simplest layup, material coupons (commonly 75mm by 75mm) are made in a single layer configuration providing modest gains in terms of multifunctionality, i.e. the power storage capability is not significant compared to the overall loss in mechanical strength of the material, due to the changes in formulation dictated by the added power storage functionality. However, the multifunctional performance can be enhanced by stacking multiple single layer material coupons on top of each other, in various configurations, to achieve enhanced mechanical and/or electrical properties for the material. Four layup methods have been explored, and the results of the electromechanical characterization of these layups are presented and discussed here, in connection with the properties of the single layer coupons.

In recent years, aging is progressing in Japan. Elderly people can't swallow the food well. So, the need of soft food is increasing greatly with the aging of the population. There are so few satisfying foods for the elderly to enjoy a meal. An equipment of printing soft food gives the elderly a big dream and is promising. In this study, we aim at developing a 3D edible gel printer in order to make soft food for the elderly. We made a prototype of the 3D edible gel printer. The printer consists of syringe pump and dispenser. The syringe pump extrudes the solution. The dispenser allows to model threedimensional objects. We use agar solution as the ink to carry out the printing. Agar’s gelation deeply depends on temperature. Therefore temperature control of the solution is important to mold optimal shapes because the physical crosslinking network of agar’s solution is instable. We succeeded in making the gels and plate-shape gel using the 3D edible gel printer. Further more, in order to increase the gelation speed agar’s solution, we changed the dispenser and the printing test is being done now. 4 kinds of soft food prepared from agar and gelatin were printed by the 3D edible gel printer. The compression tests of the printed soft food samples were done and their hardness is measured because the hardness is one of very important factors which influence the food texture greatly. In the future, the viscosity of the agar solution or other food ink should be adjusted to suitable for printing.

Shape memory polymers (SMP) are a class of stimuli-responsive materials that are able to respond to external stimulus such as heat by altering their shape. Bio-compatible SMPs have a number of advantages over static materials and are being studied extensively for biomedical and clinical applications (such as tissue stents and scaffolds). A previous study has demonstrated that the bio-compatible polymer blend of polylactic acid (PLA)/ thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) (50/50 and 70/30) exhibit good shape memory properties. In this study, the mechanical and thermo-mechanical (shape memory) properties of TPU/PLA SMP blends were characterized; the compositions studied were 80/20, 65/35, and 50/50 TPU/PLA. In addition, porous TPU/PLA SMP blends were fabricated with a gas-foaming technique; and the morphology of the porous structure of these SMPs foams were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The TPU/PLA bio-compatible SMP blend was fabricated with melt-blending and compression molding. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the SMP blends was determined with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The mechanical properties studied were the stress-strain behavior, tensile strength, and elastic modulus; and the thermomechanical (or shape memory) properties studied were the shape fixity rate (Rf), shape recovery rate (Rr), response time, and the effect of recovery temperature on Rr. The porous 80/20 PLA/TPU SMP blend was found to have the highest tensile strength, toughness and percentage extension, as well as the lowest density and uniform pore structure in the micron and submicron scale. The porous 80/20 TPU/PLA SMP blend may be further developed for specific biomedical and clinical applications where a combination of tensile strength, toughness, and low density are required.

Several synthesis methods have been devised to improve the mechanical strength of gels extraordinarily after 2001. It was a trigger to use gels as a new industrial materials, since gels had been considered difficult for industrial materials because of their weakness. In a recent study, we had designed transparency shape memory gels for the first time. Shape memory gels are one of the gels with characteristic networks, and have a shape memory function by copolymerizing an acrylic monomer with a hydrophobic long alkyl side group. It is well known that the mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus and friction coefficient of shape memory gels depend on temperature. In this study, we tried to change the frictional properties of shape memory gels by laser surface texturing. Two types of processed surface were prepared. The hexagonal close packed pattern and the square close packed pattern of dimples were formed on the surface of gel sheets with CO² laser. The intensity of laser was optimized to avoid cutting gels. The friction coefficients of unprocessed gels and two types of processed gels were measured by ball-on-disk method. Measurement partner material was sodalime glass ball. The measurement results of processed gels showed clear differences from unprocessed gels. The friction coefficients of processed gels were larger than unprocessed gels. However, these results specifically showed the velocity dependence. It indicates that surface texturing enable to control the friction coefficient of polymer gels by surface pattern and velocity.

The frictional behavior of the four kinds of high functional gels, which are double network (DN) gels, particle-double network gels (P-DN), shape memory gels (SMG), LA-shape memory gels (LA-SMG) and was studied. The velocity dependence looks similar for both the DN gels and the SMG, however the details of the dependence are different. The coefficient of the DN gels is smaller than that of the SMGs. The coefficient decreases as the normal force increases. This normal force dependence was observed for the DN gels previously, however for the first time for the SMGs. The velocity dependence looks similar for both the DN gels and the SMG, however the details of the dependence are different. The coefficient of the DN gels is smaller than that of the SMGs. The difference of the dependences is possibly related to the different softness by the temperature change of the gels. The temperature dependence of the coefficient of friction in LA-SMG was observed. Increase of the perpendicular load and the surface softness were influenced by coefficient of friction increase. In addition, the frictional coefficient of P-DN that different particle size was measured for the first time. The difference of the friction behavior of LA-SMG by the particle size was clear. Therefore, we show frictional coefficient of various high functional gels.

In earlier work, we have demonstrated an assisted self-assembly fabrication method for unidirectional submicron patterns using pre-programmed shape memory polymers (SMP) as the substrate in an organic/inorganic bilayer structure. In this paper, we propose a complete bottom-up method for fabrication of uniaxial wrinkles whose wavelength is below 300 nm. The method starts with using the aforementioned self-assembled bi-layer wrinkled surface as the template to make a replica of surface wrinkles on a PDMS layer which is spin-coated on a pre-programmed SMP substrate. When the shape recovery of the substrate is triggered by heating it to its transition temperature, the substrate has been programmed in such a way that it shrinks uniaxially to return to its permanent shape. Consequently, the wrinkle wavelength on PDMS reduces accordingly. A subsequent contact molding process is carried out on the PDMS layer spin-coated on another pre-programmed SMP substrate, but using the wrinkled PDMS surface obtained in the previous step as the master. By activating the shape recovery of the substrate, the wrinkle wavelength is further reduced a second time in a similar fashion. Our experiments showed that the starting wavelength of 640 nm decreased to 290 nm after two cycles of recursive molding. We discuss the advantages and limitations of our recursive molding approach compared to the prevalent top-down fabrication methods represented by lithography. The present study is expected to o er a simple and cost-e ective fabrication method of nano-scale uniaxial wrinkle patterns with the potential for large-scale mass-production.

Light responsive azobenzene functionalized polymer networks enjoy several advantages as actuator candidates including the ability to be remotely triggered and the capacity for highly tunable control via light intensity, polarization, wavelength and material alignments. One signi cant challenge hindering these materials from being employed in applications is their often relatively slow actuation rates and low power densities, especially in the absence of photo-thermal e ects. One well known strategy employed in nature for increasing actuation rate and power output is the storage and quick release of elastic energy (e.g., the Venus ytrap). Using nature as inspiration we have conducted a series of experiments and developed an equilibrium mechanics model for investigating remotely triggered snap-through of bistable light responsive arches made from glassy azobenzene functionalized polymers. After brie y discussing experimental observations we consider in detail a geometrically exact, planar rod model of photomechanical snap-through. Theoretical energy release characteristics and unique strain eld pro les provide insight toward design strategies for improved actuator performance. The bistable light responsive arches presented here are potentially a powerful option for remotely triggered, rapid motion from apparently passive structures in applications such as binary optical switches and positioners, surfaces with morphing topologies, and impulse locomotion in micro or millimeter scale robotics.

In 2003, the most effective but simple way was proposed to synthesize double network gels, whose compression fracture stress reached about 30MPa, while that of common gels were several tens kPa. Our group has focused on PAMPSPDMAAm DN gel, because it possibly has both biocompatibility and permeability, which are good for developing artificial articular cartilage and artificial blood vessel. It is also possibly used for rapid additive manufacturing with 3D gel printer. Here, we develop a novel apparatus of the ball on disk method to observe the surface friction of the DN gels. We hope to apply this apparatus for various studies about the tribological behavior of the gels, especially about the effect of external electric field on the gel friction.

The coupling of magnetic and electric fields due to the constitutive behavior of a material is commonly denoted as ME-effect. The latter is only observed in a few crystal classes exhibiting a very weak coupling which can hardly be exploited for technical applications. Much larger coupling coefficients are obtained in so called multiferroic composite materials, where ferroelectric and ferromagnetic constituents are embedded in a matrix. The MEeffect is then induced by the strain of the matrix converting electrical and magnetic energies based on the ferroelectric and magnetostrictive effects. In this paper, the theoretical background of nonlinear constitutive multifield behavior as well as the Finite Element implementation are presented. Nonlinear material models describing the magneto-ferroelectric behavior are presented. On this basis, the poling process in the ferroelectric phase is simulated and resulting effects are analyzed. Numerical simulations in general focus on the prediction of ME coupling coefficients and residual stresses going along with the poling process. Numerical homogenization, here, is a useful means to supply effective properties.

A method for studying the coupled electrical-mechanical response of droplet interface bilayers is proposed. This research examines the concept of the biologically-inspired hair cell in greater depth, attempting to determine the source of the sensing current when no external potential is applied across the sensing droplet-interface bilayer element. Historically the mechanosensitive current in these droplet-interface bilayers has been attributed to a combination of capacitive currents and electrode oscillation (experimental error); however the development of a third sensing mechanism through modifying the bilayer properties may enhance the usefulness of the mechanosensitive droplet interface bilayer networks considerably. This would allow for measurable sensing currents without requiring an externally applied electric field by permanently charging the bilayer element through surface modifications. Charging agents are added to the droplet interface bilayer network as the network is oscillated and the electrical response is recorded for analysis. The adsorption of the charged molecules is studied through the intramembrane field compensation (IFC) approach, and the knowledge gained from this is then applied towards the mechanosensitivity analysis. Multiple charging techniques are tested and employed, and the nature of the sensing current is determined by examining the frequency content of the recorded currents. Several properties are derived, including the nature of the sensing current, the charging mechanisms available for boosting the sensing current, and the nature of the sensing current without externally applied potentials.

The development of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatible optically-actuated active needle for guided percutaneous surgery and biopsy procedures is described. Electrically passive MRI-compatible actuation in the small diameter needle is provided by non-magnetic materials including a shape memory alloy (SMA) subject to precise fiber laser operation that can be from a remote (e.g., MRI control room) location. Characterization and optimization of the needle is facilitated using optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensors arrays. Active bending of the needle during insertion allows the needle to be accurately guided to even relatively small targets in an organ while avoiding obstacles and overcoming undesirable deviations away from the planned path due to unforeseen or unknowable tissue interactions. This feature makes the needle especially suitable for use in image-guided surgical procedures (ranging from MRI to CT and ultrasound) when accurate targeting is imperative for good treatment outcomes. Such interventions include reaching small tumors in biopsies, delineating freezing areas in, for example, cryosurgery and improving the accuracy of seed placement in brachytherapy. Particularly relevant are prostate procedures, which may be subject to pubic arch interference. Combining diagnostic imaging and actuation assisted biopsy into one treatment can obviate the need for a second exam for guided biopsy, shorten overall procedure times (thus increasing operating room efficiencies), address healthcare reimbursement constraints and, most importantly, improve patient comfort and clinical outcomes.

We discuss the dynamic electromechanical behavior of barium titanate (BT) unimorph cantilevers with sensing, grounding and driving electrodes under alternating current (AC) electric fields. A three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to predict the deflection and output voltage in the BT unimorph cantilevers. The deflection and output voltage were also measured, and numerical results were compared with measured values. The deflection, output voltage and output power were then examined in detail.

To keep a shape of a smart structure with piezoelectric actuators bonded on it, electric voltage must be applied continuously. To reduce the amount of electricity usage, a new control method was proposed and its feasibility was examined in the previous studies [Proc. of SPIE 8689 86890C, Proc. of 29th ISTS 2013-c-40]. In this method hysteretic behavior of piezoelectric actuators in strain-electric field relationship was utilized effectively, which behavior is that some amount of strain remains even at zero voltage once a large voltage is applied. The results showed that displacement of a smart beam with a piezoelectric ceramic actuator bonded remained without applying voltage to the actuators after applying a pulsed voltage. However, the displacement overshot a final position while applying the pulsed voltage. That is generally undesirable. In this paper a suppression method of this overshoot was proposed. To this end another piezoelectric actuator was bonded on the beam opposing the original actuator. The original actuator was a soft type while a hard type piezoelectric actuator was used as the opposing actuator. With help from the two types of actuators, the overshoot could be suppressed while applying the pulsed voltage by controlling the voltage for the opposing actuator adequately, and a desired displacement could be obtained at zero voltage after the pulse.

Protection of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) is rather an important element for the engine manufacturers and aerospace companies to help improve the durability of their hot engine components. The CMC’s are typically porous materials which permits some desirable infiltration that lead to strength enhancements. However, they experience various durability issues such as degradation due to coating oxidation. These concerns are being addressed by introducing a high temperature protective system, Environmental Barrier Coating (EBC) that can operate at temperature applications^{1, 3} In this paper, linear elastic progressive failure analyses are performed to evaluate conditions that would cause crack initiation in the EBC. The analysis is to determine the overall failure sequence under tensile loading conditions on different layers of material including the EBC and CMC in an attempt to develop a life/failure model. A 3D finite element model of a dogbone specimen is constructed for the analyses. Damage initiation, propagation and final failure is captured using a progressive failure model considering tensile loading conditions at room temperature. It is expected that this study will establish a process for using a computational approach, validated at a specimen level, to predict reliably in the future component level performance without resorting to extensive testing.

Variable stiffness features can contribute to many engineering applications ranging from robotic joints to shock and vibration mitigation. In addition, variable stiffness can be used in the tactile feedback to provide the sense of touch to the user. A key component in the proposed device is the Biased Magnetorheological Elastomer (B-MRE) where iron particles within the elastomer compound develop a dipole interaction energy. A novel feature of this device is to introduce a field induced shear modulus bias via a permanent magnet which provides an offset with a current input to the electromagnetic control coil to change the compliance or modulus of a base elastomer in both directions (softer or harder). The B-MRE units can lead to the design of a variable stiffness surface. In this preliminary work, both computational and experimental results of the B-MRE are presented along with a preliminary design of the programmable variable stiffness surface design.

The ability to directly convert visible light radiation into useful mechanical work provides many opportunities in the field of smart materials and adaptive structures ranging from biomedical applications to control of heliostat mirrors for solar harvesting. The complexities associated with coupling time-dependent Maxwell’s equations with linear momentum and mechanics is discussed by introducing a set of electronic order parameters that govern the coupling between electromagnetic radiation and mechanics of a deformable solid. Numerical examples are given illustrating how this methodology is applied to a special class of liquid crystal polymer networks containing azobenzene. The dynamics associated with light absorption and its effect on deformation of the polymer are solved in three dimensions using finite difference methods and compared to experimental results. Particular emphasis is placed on the effect of polarized light on microstructure evolution and stresses that occur during photoisomerization of the optically active microstructure.

Structural systems deteriorate due to excessive deformation and corrosive environments. If damage is left undetected, they can propagate to cause sudden collapse. However, one of the main difficulties of monitoring damage progression is that, for example, excessive/plastic deformation and corrosion are drastically different physical processes. Strain is a mechanical phenomenon, whereas corrosion is a complex electrochemical process. The current strategy for structural health monitoring (SHM) is to use either different types of sensors or to employ system identification for quantifying overall changes to the structure. In this study, an alternative SHM paradigm is proposed in that a single, multifunctional material would be able to selectively sense different but simultaneously occurring structural damage. In particular, a photoactive and self-sensing thin film was developed for monitoring strain and corrosion. Another unique aspect was that the films were self-sensing and did not depend on external electrical energy for operations. First, the thin films were fabricated using photoactive poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and other functional polymers using spin-coating and layerby- layer assembly. Second, the fabricated thin films were interrogated using an ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer for quantifying their optical response to applied external stimuli, such as strain and exposure to pH buffer solutions. Lastly, the multifunctional thin films were tested and validated for strain and pH sensing. Interrogation of these separate responses was achieved by illuminating the thin films different wavelengths of light and then measuring the corresponding electrical current generated.

Shape memory polymers (SMP) and shape memory alloys (SMA) have both been proven important smart materials in their own fields. Shape memory polymers can be formed into complex three-dimensional structures and can undergo shape programming and large strain recovery. These are especially important for deployable structures including those for space applications and micro-structures such as stents. Shape memory alloys on the other hand are readily exploitable in a range of applications where simple, silent, light-weight and low-cost repeatable actuation is required. These include servos, valves and mobile robotic artificial muscles. Despite their differences, one important commonality between SMPs and SMAs is that they are both typically activated by thermal energy. Given this common characteristic it is important to consider how these two will behave when in close environmental proximity, and hence exposed to the same thermal stimulus, and when they are incorporated into a hybrid SMA-SMP structure. In this paper we propose and examine the operation of SMA-SMP hybrids. The relationship between the two temperatures T_g, the glass transition temperature of the polymer, and T_a, the nominal austenite to martensite transition temperature of the alloy is considered. We examine how the choice of these two temperatures affects the thermal response of the hybrid. Electrical stimulation of the SMA is also considered as a method not only of actuating the SMA but also of inducing heating in the surrounding polymer, with consequent effects on actuator behaviour. Likewise by varying the rate and degree of thermal stimulation of the SMA significantly different actuation and structural stiffness can be achieved. Novel SMP-SMA hybrid actuators and structures have many ready applications in deployable structures, robotics and tuneable engineering systems.

Common metals for stable long-term implants (e.g. stainless steel, Titanium and Titanium alloys) are much stiffer than spongy cancellous and even stiffer than cortical bone. When bone and implant are loaded this stiffness mismatch results in stress shielding and as a consequence, degradation of surrounding bony structure can lead to disassociation of the implant. Due to its lower stiffness and high reversible deformability, which is associated with the superelastic behavior, NiTi is an attractive biomaterial for load bearing implants. However, the stiffness of austenitic Nitinol is closer to that of bone but still too high. Additive manufacturing provides, in addition to the fabrication of patient specific implants, the ability to solve the stiffness mismatch by adding engineered porosity to the implant. This in turn allows for the design of different stiffness profiles in one implant tailored to the physiological load conditions. This work covers a fundamental approach to bring this vision to reality. At first modeling of the mechanical behavior of different scaffold designs are presented as a proof of concept of stiffness tailoring. Based on these results different Nitinol scaffolds can be produced by additive manufacturing.

Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) can display up to 10% recoverable strain in response to the application of a magnetic field or compressive mechanical stress. The amount of recoverable strain depends on the amount and direction of the applied stress and magnetic field as well as manufacturing, chemical composition, and training of the material. Due to their relatively large strains and fast response, MSMAs are suitable for a wide range of applications, including power harvesting, sensing, and actuation. The response of MSMAs is primarily driven by the reorientation of martensite variants. Power harvesting is possible due to this reorientation process and the accompanying change in material’s magnetization, which can be changed into an electric potential/voltage using a pick-up coil placed around (or on the side of) the specimen. The magnitude of the output voltage depends on the number of turns of the pick-up coil, the amplitude of the reorientation strain, the magnitude and direction of the biased magnetic field, and the frequency at which the reorientation occurs. This paper focuses on the ability of a two dimensional constitutive model, developed by the group to capture the magnetomechanical response of MSMAs under general two dimensional loading conditions, to predict the power harvesting output of a Ni2MnGa specimen. Comparison between model predictions of voltage output and experimental measurements of the same indicate that, while the model is able to replicate the stress-strain response of the material during power harvesting, it is unable to accurately predict the magnitude of the experimentally measured voltage output. This indicates that additional features still need to be included in the model to better capture the change in magnetization that occurs during variant reorientation.

The developments of constitutive models for shape memory polymer (SMP) have been motivated by its increasing applications. During cooling or heating process, the phase transition which is a continuous time-dependent process happens in semi-crystallize SMP and the various individual phases form at different temperature and in different configuration. Then, the transformation between these phases occurred and shape memory effect will emerge. In addition, stress applied on SMP is an important factor for crystal melting during phase transition. In this theory, an ideal phase transition model considering stress or pre-strain is the key to describe the behaviors of shape memory effect. So a normal distributed model was established in this research to characterize the volume fraction of each phase in SMP during phase transition. Generally, the experiment results are partly backward (in heating process) or forward (in cooling process) compared with the ideal situation considering delay effect during phase transition. So, a correction on the normal distributed model is needed. Furthermore, a nonlinear relationship between stress and phase transition temperature T_g is also taken into account for establishing an accurately normal distributed phase transition model. Finally, the constitutive model which taking the stress as an influence factor on phase transition was also established. Compared with the other expressions, this new-type model possesses less parameter and is more accurate. For the sake of verifying the rationality and accuracy of new phase transition and constitutive model, the comparisons between the simulated and experimental results were carried out.

In this study, novel route for the preparation of novel stacked structure and one-step fabrication of electrospun silica microbelt with controllable wettability by a combination of sol-gel chemistry and electrospinning techniques. The application field of the one-dimensional silica in different environmental conditions was controlled by functionalization of the hydroxyl groups and non-polar groups on the backbone. Experimental results reveal that the formation of one-dimensional stacked structure is strongly related to the conductive properties of collective substrate. The exploration of the one-dimensional stacked structure mechanism was also conducted.

In the biomimetic design of gecko setae, it is necessary to select materials with appropriate adhesive properties and to understand the effects of materials on normal and tangential adhesive forces. To meet the adhesion performance requirements of the biomimetic gecko robot foot, in this study, performance-improved polyurethane/silicone polymer materials were designed and synthesized, and the normal adhesion and tangential adhesion were measured using an adhesive friction comprehensive tester. The results show that normal adhesion increased with an increase in load when the normal load is small; when the normal load exceeds a critical value, the increase in normal adhesion slows and adhesion saturates. Under the condition of an adhesive state, the tangential adhesive force was larger for a smaller negative normal force, and a relatively large tangential adhesive force could be generated with a very small negative normal force. The elastic modulus of the synthetic polyurethane/silicone material varied with varying ratios of components, and it increased with increasing urethane content. Polyurethane/silicone material with about 30% polyurethane provided greater adhesion than other materials with different contents of polyurethane. The results provide a basis for the choice of biomimetic materials of the biomimetic gecko robot foot.

This study discussed the change of residual fracture torque and the fatigue damage process of thin CFRP plates clamped by bolts for axial coupling joint, in which flexible deformation was allowed in the direction of off-set angle by the deflection of the CFRP plates while effective stiffness was obtained in rotational direction. Mechanically laminated 4 layers of the CFRP plates were repeatedly deflected during the rotation of axial coupling, when two axes were jointed with 3 degree of off-set angle, in which number of revolution was 1,800 rpm (30Hz of loading frequency). At first, the fracture morphology of specimen and the residual fracture torque was investigated after 1.0×107 cycles of repeated revolutions. The reduction ratio of spring constant was also determined by simple bending test after the fatigue. The residual fracture torque of the joint was determined on the rotational test machine after 1.0×107 cycles of fatigue. After rotations of cyclic fatigue, fiber breaking and wear of matrix were observed around the fixed parts compressed by washers for setting bolts. The reduction of spring constant of the CFRP plates was caused by the initiation of cyclic fatigue damages around the fixed parts, when the axial coupling joint was rotated with off-set angle. It was found that residual fracture torque of the joint was related with the specific fatigue damage of the CFRP observed in this study.

We succeeded in the deposition of piezoelectric thin film on a titanium substrate and on nickel-titanium alloy (shapememory alloy) by employing the hydrothermal synthesis method for the direct deposition of PZT thin film, which is a piezoelectric material, on a titanium substrate. The formed film is quite thin (tens of micrometers), and the density is low (theoretical density of ~70%). As the thin piezoelectric film is formed by the layering of many crystals, it is capable of responding to large deformations (up to 5%), which would have been inconceivable with the existing piezoelectric materials without any structural damages. The hydrothermal synthesis method was used in this research study to form films of PZT piezoelectric films on the surfaces of nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy wires to fabricate and evaluate a new multifunctional device that features a combination of four effects, namely, the shape-memory effect, super-elasticity effect, piezoelectric effect, and pyroelectric effect. The fabricated fiber was subjected to a tensile test in the super-elastic state, and the amount of deformation thereof was read from the piezoelectric effect to show the functioning of both the super-elastic effect and the piezoelectric effect.

Ambient vibrations are major source of wasted energy, exploiting properly such vibration can be converted to valuable energy and harvested to power up devices, i.e. electronic devices. Accordingly, energy harvesting using smart structures with active piezoelectric ceramics has gained wide interest over the past few years as a method for converting such wasted energy. This paper provides numerical and experimental analysis of piezoelectric fiber based composites for energy harvesting applications proposing a multi-scale modeling approach coupled with experimental verification. The multi-scale approach suggested to predict the behavior of piezoelectric fiber-based composites use micromechanical model based on Transformation Field Analysis (TFA) to calculate the overall material properties of electrically active composite structure. Capitalizing on the calculated properties, single-phase analysis of a homogeneous structure is conducted using finite element method. The experimental work approach involves running dynamic tests on piezoelectric fiber-based composites to simulate mechanical vibrations experienced by a subway train floor tiles. Experimental results agree well with the numerical results both for static and dynamic tests.