Mehnert, M., Oates, W. and Steinmann, P. (2023) Numerical modeling of nonlinear photoelasticity. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 124(7), pp. 1602-1619. (doi: 10.1002/nme.7177)
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Abstract
When molecular photo-switches, such as azobenzene or norbornadiene, are embedded into a sufficiently soft polymer matrix the resulting compound can undergo a mechanical deformation induced by light of a specific wavelength. These photo-sensitive compounds have the potential to be applied as soft actuators without the need for hard wired electronics or a separate energy source. Such characteristics are especially attractive in the design of micro-scale robots but also other applications such as high-speed data transfer or the conversion of photonic energy into a mechanical response holds great promise. Despite these almost futuristic possibilities, photo-sensitive polymers have not yet experienced a sufficient attention in industrial applications. One important factor to increase the acceptance of this group of soft smart materials is the formulation of a rigorous constitutive modeling approach in combination with numerical simulation methods. Thus, in this contribution we present a photo-mechanical modeling approach, departing from the fundamentals published previously. We briefly introduce the necessary constitutive equations which are subsequently utilized in combination with the respective balance laws into a finite element implementation. Finally, the capabilities of the numerical solution approach are illustrated by a simple two-dimensional bench-mark example and subsequently extended to a more complex three-dimensional problem.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Additional Information: | M. Mehnert acknowledges the funding within the DFG project No. STE 544/52-2 and GRK2495/C. William Oates greatly appreciates support from the Department of Defense Basic Research Program for HBCU/MI (W911NF-19-S-0009). Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. |
Keywords: | Applied Mathematics, General Engineering, Numerical Analysis |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Steinmann, Professor Paul |
Authors: | Mehnert, M., Oates, W., and Steinmann, P. |
College/School: | College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment |
Journal Name: | International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering |
Publisher: | Wiley |
ISSN: | 0029-5981 |
ISSN (Online): | 1097-0207 |
Published Online: | 23 November 2022 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2022 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering 124(7): 1602-1619 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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