Space Applications for Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite
- Paper number
IAC-07-C2.5.05
- Author
Dr. Kumar Krishen, Johnson Space Center, United States
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMCs) are composites of a noble metal, conductive polymer or carbon/graphite, and charged polyelectrolyte membrane. IPMCs have shown considerable progress in producing actuation in electric fields. Furthermore, these composites are capable of sensing motion by producing a voltage difference when bent by a mechanical force. Work to-date has yielded a force greater than 40 times the weight of an IPMC and large bending displacements with very low input voltages. There is sufficient reason to believe that artificial muscles can be produced with these composites with viable strength. The IPMC, in addition to being resilient/elastic, is also lightweight and has reaction speed in the microsecond to second range. For space missions, devices based on IPMCs will have numerous applications. On planetary surfaces, robotic arms and end effectors, motion producing motors/actuators, and controllers are just a few examples of devices that can be produced using IPMCs. In this presentation examples of various envisioned space applications of IPMCs will be provided. The impacts of these applications on future space missions will also be discussed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-C2.5.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.