Shape morphing structures via intercalation compounds

Recent research has allowed the use of electrode-active materials as actuators by harnessing reversible volumetric change due to intercalation during charging and discharging. These actuators provide a relatively large strain, 2-3%, while requiring less than ten volts to operate with a cycle time on the order of one hundred seconds. This technology can be used in any moderate bandwidth, high-force, high-strain application, including shape-morphing helicopter blades, boat hulls, satellites, and any other structure that benefits from shape change. An analysis is performed on the state of the technology, the intellectual property held, and the potential markets that exist. A recommendation is made to pursue the technology, while cognizant of the fact that it is still in a seed stage and requires significant time and financial investment before entering production. Two business models are proposed and rough market calculations are also presented. The basis of this project is work done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology by Professor Yet-Ming Chiang and Professor Steven Hall. Industrialists, including but not limited to, William Fallon and Dan Ursenbach of Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Connecticut are also involved in the project.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Wong, John T., M. Eng. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Yet-Ming Chiang.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/42153

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/42153