A Non-Linear Dynamic Model of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite (IPMC) Cantilever Actuator

Abstract

This work presents development of an effective non-linear mathematical model for dynamic analysis of Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) cantilever actuators undergoing large bending deformations under AC excitation voltages. As the IPMC actuator experiences dehydration (solvent loss) in open environment, a model has been proposed to calculate the solvent loss due to applied electric potential following Cobb-Douglas production method. D’Alembert’s principle has been used for the derivation of the governing equation of motion of the system. Generalized Galerkin’s method has been followed to reduce the governing equation to the second-order temporal differential equation of motion. Method of multiple scales has been used to solve the non-linear equation of motion of the system and dehydration effect on the vibration response has been demonstrated numerically.