Abstract
This study investigates the impact of the surrounding free space on the topology optimization (TO) of electro-active polymers (EAPs). It is well understood that, under the application of an electric field, the deformation of an EAP is not solely determined by the field distribution within the body, but also by the distribution in the free space surrounding it. This is particularly true for electronic EAP, which are emerging as leading candidates for developing artificial muscles. Our study specifically focuses on understanding the influence of the free space in the context of density-based TO. We model the free space as an extended void region around the design domain. Our numerical experiments focus on EAP actuators and take into account their geometrical nonlinear behavior. The results show that incorporating the surrounding free space has a significant impact on the performance of the optimized EAPs with low electric permittivity. This makes it essential to consider in real-world applications.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
