Challenges to the application of IPMC as actuators of planetary mechanisms

Abstract

Ion-exchange polymer membrane metallic composites (IPMC) are one of the electroactive polymers (EAP) that were shown to have potential application as actuators. The recent introduction of perfluorocarboxylategold composite with tetra-n-butylammonium and lithium cations instead of sodium made the most significant improvement of the material's electroactivity. Under less than 3 volts, such IPMC materials were shown to induce bending beyond a complete loop. The bending characteristic of IPMC offered an attractive actuation capability for a dust wiper in planetary applications and it was explored for the Nanorover's infrared camera window of the MUSES-CN mission. This joint NASA and the Japanese space agency mission, is scheduled to be launched from Kagoshima, Japan, in January 2002, to explore the surface of a small near-Earth asteroid. The application of EAP at space conditions posed a great challenge due to the harsh operating conditions that are expected and the critical need for robustness and durability. Several issues that are critical to the application of IPMC were addressed including operation in vacuum and low temperatures, as well as the effect of the electromechanical characteristics of the IPMC on its actuation capability. Highly efficient IPMC materials, mechanical modeling, unique elements and protective coatings were introduced to enhance the applicability of this EAP material. However, critical issues were identified that hamper the transition of IPMC from being considered for practical applications at this stage.

Tunable actuation behavior of ionic polymer metal composite utilizing carboxylated carbon nanotube-doped Nafion matrix

“…8,9 In addition, as a well-known "articial muscle", 10 IPMC can accomplish some unusual tasks such as "swimming" like a sh and "ying" like a bird, 11,12 indicating enormous potential in the bionic engineering eld.…”

Ionic electroactive polymer metal composites: Fabricating, modeling, and applications of postsilicon smart devices

“…They may be good actuators when highspeed actuation is not necessary; in fact, the reaction speed is limited by the high viscosity of EG (about 16 times higher than that of water at room temperature) and by the higher molecular weight with respect to that of water. [65][66][67][68][69] When ethylene glycol is used as the solvent, IPMCs need to be preventively dried, to remove any water within the sample. Samples are put in a drying chamber at 100 C for 1 or 2 days.…”

“…More specifically, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMI-Im), 74 (1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMIBF 4 ), 69 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluromethane sulfonate (EMI-Tf), 72,74 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMI-BF 4 ), 73,80 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BMI-Tf), 80 and 1-buthyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIPF 6 ) 73 were the most used ionic liquids as the solvents for IPMCs.…”

Cytotoxicity test and mass spectrometry of IPMC

“…In fact, NASA has experimented with applications to dust wipers for an infrared camera window to be used in interplanetary space exploration by coating the periphery with a polymer coating [18]. Moreover, the IPMC shows an efficient response to electrical stimuli regardless of the environment.…”