Fundamental model for analysis of nastic materials and structures
Received:November 27, 2009  
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DOI:10.7511/jslx20102002
KeyWord:nastic material  ion transport  coupled modeling  multi-actuators
     
AuthorInstitution
张洪武 大连理工大学 工业装备结构分析国家重点实验室 运载工程与力学学部 工程力学系,大连
吕军 大连理工大学 工业装备结构分析国家重点实验室 运载工程与力学学部 工程力学系,大连
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Abstract:
      Nastic actuators are high energy density active materials that mimic the processes used in the plant kingdom to produce large deformations through the conversion of chemical energy. These materials utilize the controlled transport of charge and fluid across a selectively-permeable membrane to achieve bulk deformation in a process of nastic movements found in plant. The nastic material being developed consists of synthetic membranes containing biological ion pumps, ion channels, and ion exchangers surrounding fluid-filled cavities embedded within a matrix. In this paper we represent the process of ion transporting and the responding of the matrix by discussing the formulation of a biological transport model and its coupling with a finite element model of the matrix of nastic materials. The sensitivities of various parameters on the deformation and the response time of the matrix are studied. Particular attention is focused on the study of the mechanical behaviors of the structure composed of multi-cells of nastic materials. A coupled model is developed to simulate the mechanical response of nastic structure composed of multi-actuators.