Modeling, identification, and application of multilayer polypyrrole conducting polymer actuators

Experiments were performed using commercially available, self-contained, multilayer polypyrrole (PPy) actuators to develop low-order lumped parameter models of actuator electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical behavior. Experimental data were processed using system identification techniques. Both grey box and black box models were identified. The grey box model consisted of a first order electrical network that was linearly and algebraically coupled to a second order viscoelastic model. The black box model incorporated a third order Box-Jenkins structure and achieved model to data residues comparable to the grey box model. When utilizing validation data, the grey box model showed very good performance for loads in the range of 0.5 to 3 N. Overall, the results of system identification experiments suggested that low order, lumped parameter models were adequate to describe the gross behavior of multilayer actuators. An online identification scheme was developed for monitoring polymer electrical impedance and thereby monitoring the degradation state of an actuator. This identification was performed successfully using recursive least squares and least squares for a discrete impedance model.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Secord, Thomas W. (Thomas William)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• H. Harry Asada.

• Mechanical 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/1721.1/38702

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/38702