Project Details
Projekt
Bio-inspired autonomous devices for movements and stress generation
Subject Area
Polymeric and Biogenic Materials and Derived Composites
Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
Term
from 2009 to 2015
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 127651422
The main objective of the third project phase is to build demonstrators and functional devices for large movements and stress generation which response autonomously to external stimuli and are bio-inspired by the formerly studied ice plant capsules and papaya bast fibres, respectively. The systems based on the concept of the bast fibres will be actuated by swellable hydrogels, which are inserted in the cells of the honeycomb structure. To achieve a suitable honeycomb structure two different approaches will be realized. On the one hand moulding of polymer structures, which represents a rather simple and quick method to manufacture a demonstrator. The polymers, however, may fail in coping with higher stresses upon swelling of the actuator. The second approach is based on glass or carbon fibre prepregs. These materials are known to tolerate high stresses. The challenge of this approach, however, is to avoid separation of individual layers at the connection points. The demonstrators inspired by the ice plant capsules will be actuated by hierarchical structuring of hydro-responsive bilayer systems, which translate swelling at the nanoscale to macroscale movement via sophisticated honeycomb geometries. The experimental work in maximising directed movement and stress generation of the demonstrators will be complemented by modelling to allow for a systematic procedure to determine and predict the optimal hierarchical design of the systems. One should bear in mind that a functioning actuator does not rely on a particular geometry of the artificial cell cluster alone. Long lasting and repeatable function of the actuator necessarily requires the covalent connection between the polymer of the cell walls and the stimuli-active hydrogel. This ap-proach needs a particular polymer synthesis and cannot be achieved with commercially available polymers.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
Subproject of
SPP 1420:
Biomimetic Materials Research: Functionality by Hierarchical Structuring of Materials
International Connection
Switzerland
