The past 10 years has witnessed a renewed interest in cellulose research and application, sparked mostly by technological interests renewable raw materials more environmentally friendly sustainable resources. In this paper, we further expand the current knowledge applications technologies reporting our discovery of as smart material that can be used for biomimetic sensor/actuator devices micro-electromechanical systems. This is termed electroactive paper (EAPap). It produce large bending...

Abstract While high shear alignment has been shown to improve the mechanical properties of single‐wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)‐polymer composites, this method does not allow for control over electrical and dielectric composite often results in degradation these properties. Here, we report a novel actively align SWNTs polymer matrix, which permits degree without side effects alignment. In process, were aligned via AC field‐induced dipolar interactions among nanotubes liquid matrix followed by...

Electromechanical coupling properties of biological materials, especially cellulose from plant cell walls and proteins animals, are great interest for applications in biocompatible sensors actuators ecofriendly energy harvesters. On the basis their anisotropic nanostructures, fibrous such as collagen, silk, keratin, etc. expected to be piezoelectric; however, this property does not necessarily translate cellulose- or protein-containing bulk materials. In fact, values piezoelectric...

This paper provides a theory for quantifying the hysteresis and constitutive nonlinearities inherent to piezoceramic compounds through combination of free energy analysis stochastic homogenization techniques. In first step model development, Helmholtz Gibbs relations are constructed at lattice or domain level quantify relation between field polarization in homogeneous, single crystal which exhibit uniform effective fields. The effects material nonhomogeneities, polycrystallinity, variable...

This work aims to study how the magnitude, frequency, and duration of an AC electric field affect orientation two kinds nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) dispersed in silicone oil that differ by their surface charge density aspect ratio. In both cases, alignment occurs steps: first, NFC makes a gyratory motion oriented field; second, interacts with itself form chains parallel lines. It was also observed become thicker longer when application is increased. In-situ dielectric properties have...

This paper addresses the modeling of hysteresis and nonlinear constitutive relations in piezoelectric materials at moderate to high drive levels. Hysteresis nonlinearities are due domain structure inherent both aspects must be addressed attain full potential as sensors actuators performance applications. The model employed here is based on previously developed theory for general ferroelectric materials. quantification reversible irreversible motion walls pinned inclusions material. yields an...

There is a lack of systematic investigations on both mechanical and electrical properties carbon nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced epoxy matrix nanocomposites. In this paper, an in-depth study static dynamic behaviors CNF/epoxy nanocomposites with various contents CNFs provided. A modified Halpin-Tsai equation used to evaluate the Young's modulus storage The values predicted using method account for effect CNF agglomeration fit well those obtained experimentally. results show that highest tensile...

Origami engineering aims to combine origami principles with advanced materials yield active shapes, which fold and unfold in response external stimuli. This paper explores the potential limitations of dielectric elastomers (DEs) as enabling material engineering. DEs are compliant coupled electro-mechanical actuation takes advantage their low modulus high breakdown strength. Until recently, prestraining relatively thick DE was necessary order achieve electric fields needed trigger...

The use of origami principles to create 3-dimensional shapes has the potential revolutionize active material structures and compliant mechanisms. Active can be applied a broad range areas such as reconfigurable aircraft deployable space well instruments for minimally invasive surgery. Our current research is focused on dielectric elastomer (DE) magneto (MAE) materials multi-field responsive structures. Such will integrate DE MAE enable that fold/unfold in different ways response electric...

The field of active origami explores the incorporation materials into origami-inspired structures in order to serve as a means actuation. Active capable folding complex three-dimensional (3D) shapes have potential be lightweight and versatile compared traditional methods This paper details finite element analysis experimental validation unimorph actuators. Actuators are fabricated by adhering layers electroded dielectric elastomer (3M VHB F9473PC) onto passive substrate layer Magic Scotch...

This work focuses on the derivation of orientation distribution function (ODF) for a uniaxial-axially symmetric system using polarized Raman spectroscopy. A numerical methodology is proposed to determine ODF that formulated in terms Legendre polynomials and principle maximum information entropy. The ultimate goal quantify alignment single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) polymer matrix experimental from intensity. Some mathematical steps determination ODF, not clarified current literature, are shown...

Owing to the high surface volume ratio of nanoparticles, nanoparticle-modified polymers promise exhibit properties exceeding bounds predicted by effective media approaches, where response is not solely dependent on inherent nanoparticle but rather dominated nature and content interface. This study focused 1) investigating impact treatment thermal processing nanoTiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> -modified-PVDF dielectric...

In this paper, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of sol-gel derived microwave sintered PZT are presented. It has been observed that sintering results in a material with higher constant (≈1600) than by conventional methods (≈1480). also offers low loss tangent improved d33. Pellets method at 1100 °C found to have high hardness (≈1460 MPa) on Vickers scale theoretical density ≈94% comparison (i.e. ≈980 MPa ≈84%). From hysteresis study, remanent polarization (Pr) coercive field (Ec)...

Mathematical models and circuitry necessary for optimal energy conversion have been developed piezoelectric devices because of their ability to convert mechanical electrical energy. The device that is the focus this study a curved, thin unimorph prestressed bender. This consists layers material, polyimide, metal bonded at high temperatures. Effects its layer composition geometry on harvesting actuation are investigated. Through investigation, method developing empirical relationships...