• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.247-264
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• 2024

Recent advances in electro-active polymer (EAP) actuators, owing to their flexibility, lightweight, and simple fabrication process, have showcased their high utility across various fields such as soft robotics, biomimetics, wearable devices, and haptic technologies. Moreover, EAP actuators are evolving into smart devices with new functions and characteristics through the integration of functional materials and innovative technologies. This paper categorizes EAPs into ionic EAPs and electronic EAPs. Ionic EAPs include, most notably, ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) and conducting polymers (CPs), while electronic EAPs encompass dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), ferroelectric polymer actuators, and the recently introduced hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic (HASEL) actuators. Detailed explanations based on the latest research are provided concerning the mechanism, structure, performance improvement strategies, methods for adding functionality, and application areas for each type of actuator.

• Journal of KSNVE
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.1121-1129
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• 1998

This research is concerned with the multiple PPF and the modified LQG controller design for active vibration control of intelligent structures. The intelligent structure is defined as the structure equipped with smart actuators and sensors. Various control techniques aimed for the piezoceramic sensors and actuators have been proposed for the active vibration control of smart structures and some of them prove their effectiveness experimentally. In this paper, the multiple PPF controller and the modified LQG controller are developed and applied to the smart grid structure. The multiple PPF control and the modified LQG control can be classified as the classical and the modern control techniques. respectively. The experimental results show that both control techniques are effective in suppressing vibrations. Two control techniques are compared with respect to the design process. the ease of implementation and the effectiveness

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.17 no.7 s.124
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• pp.587-595
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• 2007

Performance evaluation of advanced piezoelectric composite actuator is conducted with its application of structural vibration control. Characteristics of MFC(macro fiber composite) actuator are investigated by comparing traditional piezoceramic patch actuator. Finite element modeling is used to obtain equations of motion and boundary effects of smart hull structure with MFC actuator. Dynamic characteristics of the smart hull structure are studied through modal analysis and experimental investigation. LQG control algorithm is employed to investigate active damping of hull structure. It is observed that vibration of hull structure is suppressed effectively by the MFC actuators.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.1119-1124
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• 2007

Performance evaluation of advanced piezoelectric composite actuator is conducted with its application of structural vibration control. Characteristics of MFC (macro fiber composite) actuator are investigated by comparing traditional piezoceramic patch actuator. Finite element modeling is used to obtain equations of motion and boundary effects of smart hull structure with MFC actuator. Dynamic characteristics of the smart hull structure are studied through modal analysis and experimental investigation. LQG control algorithm is employed to investigate active damping of hull structure. It is observed that vibration of hull structure is suppressed effectively by the MFC actuators.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.425-432
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• 2006

This paper presents a control algorithm for smart actuators that can be used in a 'steer-by-wire' system for next-generation intelligent automobiles. 'Steer-by-wire' is a network-based mechatronic steering system in which mechanical linkages and hydraulics are replaced by electric motors and a digital communication network. The algorithm is designed not only to achieve the capabilities of following the desired steering angles while minimizing the discrepancy between two steering wheels, but also to tolerate an actuator with faults. The proposed algorithm is based on a simple proportional control so that it can be implemented in real-time with a low-cost embedded microcontroller. The effectiveness of the control algorithm is examined using a hardware-in-the-loop simulator consisting of two DC motors and a CAN bus network.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.765-784
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• 2014

In comparison with conventional shape memory actuated structures, antagonistic shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators permits a fully reversible two-way response and higher response frequency. However, excessive internal stress could adversely reduce the stroke of the actuators under repeated use. The two-way shape memory effect might further decrease the range of the recovered strain under actuation of an antagonistic SMA actuator unless additional components (e.g., spring and stopper) are added to regain the overall actuation capability. In this paper, the performance of all four possible types of SMA actuation schemes is investigated in detail with emphasis on five key properties: recovered strain, cyclic degradation, response frequency, self-sensing control accuracy, and controllable maximum output. The testing parameters are chosen based on the maximization of recovered strain. Three types of these actuators are antagonistic SMA actuators, which drive with two active SMA wires in two directions. The antagonistic SMA actuator with an additional pair of springs exhibits wider displacement range, more stable performance under reuse, and faster response, although accurate control cannot be maintained under force interference. With two additional stoppers to prevent the over stretch of the spring, the results showed that the proposed structure could achieve significant improvement on all five properties. It can be concluded that, the last type actuator scheme with additional spring and stopper provide much better applicability than the other three in most conditions. The results of the performance analysis of all four SMA actuators could provide a solid basis for the practical design of SMA actuators.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.466-471
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• 2008

Structural vibration and noise are hot issues in underwater vehicles such as submarines for their survivability. Therefore, active vibration and noise control of submarine, which can be modeled as hull structure, have been conducted by the use of piezoelectric materials. Traditional piezoelectric materials are too brittle and not suitable to curved geometry such as hull structures. Therefore, advanced anisotropic piezoceramic actuator named as Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC), which can provide great flexibility, large induced strain and directional actuating force is adopted for this research. In this study, dynamic model of the smart hull structure is established and active vibration control performance of the smart hull structure is evaluated using optimally placed MFC. Actuating performance of MFC is evaluated by finite element analysis and dynamic modeling of the smart hull structure is derived by finite element method considering underwater condition. In order to suppress the vibration of hull structure, Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) algorithm is adopted. After then active vibration control performance of the proposed smart hull structure is evaluated with computer simulation and experimental investigation in underwater. Structural vibration of the hull structure is decreased effectively by applying proper control voltages to the MFC actuators.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.477-501
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• 2005

In this study, a new smart beam finite element is proposed for the finite element modeling of beam-type smart structures that are equipped with bonded plate-type piezoelectric sensors and actuators. Constitutive equations for the direct piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric materials are considered in the formulation. By using a variational principle, the equations of motion for the smart beam finite element are derived. The proposed 2-node beam finite element is an isoparametric element based on Timoshenko beam theory. The proposed smart beam finite element is applied to the free vibration control adopting a constant gain feedback scheme. The electrical force vector, which is obtained in deriving an equation of motion, is the control force equivalent to that in existing literature. Validity of the proposed element is shown through comparing the analytical results of the verification examples with those of other previous researchers. With the use of smart beam finite elements, simulation of free vibration control is demonstrated by sensing the voltage of the piezoelectric sensors and by applying the voltages to the piezoelectric actuators.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2013.04a
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• pp.452-453
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• 2013

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.316-317
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• 2009

The ion-exchange membrane, Nafion, remains as the benchmark for a majority of research and development in IPMC technology. In this research, we employed a novel ionomer named by sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) (SPSE) that is crosslinked by UV irradiation. The sulfonic acid groups were stable during the UV irradiation crosslinking process. Water uptake, ion exchange capacity, and proton conductivity are characterized for both pure SPSE and crosslinked SPSE membrane. The bending responses of SPSE actuators under both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) excitations were investigated. The voltage-current behaviors of the actuators under AC excitations are also measured. Results showed the crosslinked SPSE actuators have better electromechanical performance than that of pure SPSE actuator with regard to tip displacement as a novel smart material.