TY - JOUR
T1 - Guidelines on the design, characterization, and operation of shape memory alloy knitted actuators
AU - Eschen, K.
AU - Granberry, R.
AU - Abel, J.
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Textile actuators combine the intriguing mechanics of textile architectures with the multifunctional capabilities of active materials to provide large, distributed and three-dimensional deformations and forces. Shape memory alloy (SMA) knitted actuators, a type of textile actuator, are specifically alluring because of their high energy density and mechanical performance. The study of textile actuators in general, and SMA knitted actuators in specific, is currently confined to small parameter studies and application-driven research resulting in a scarcity of conclusive, universal guidelines and standards for the design, operation, and characterization of these compliant smart actuators. This paper identifies the predominant functional dependencies between the knitted actuator geometry, thermo-mechanical loading, and the knitted actuator performance to derive guidelines for the design, operation, and characterization of SMA knitted actuators. Through this first conclusive description of SMA knitted actuators, we significantly advance their research, design, and usability, while providing transferable insight into other active textile implementations and encouraging the standardization of language and procedures across this novel research field.
AB - Textile actuators combine the intriguing mechanics of textile architectures with the multifunctional capabilities of active materials to provide large, distributed and three-dimensional deformations and forces. Shape memory alloy (SMA) knitted actuators, a type of textile actuator, are specifically alluring because of their high energy density and mechanical performance. The study of textile actuators in general, and SMA knitted actuators in specific, is currently confined to small parameter studies and application-driven research resulting in a scarcity of conclusive, universal guidelines and standards for the design, operation, and characterization of these compliant smart actuators. This paper identifies the predominant functional dependencies between the knitted actuator geometry, thermo-mechanical loading, and the knitted actuator performance to derive guidelines for the design, operation, and characterization of SMA knitted actuators. Through this first conclusive description of SMA knitted actuators, we significantly advance their research, design, and usability, while providing transferable insight into other active textile implementations and encouraging the standardization of language and procedures across this novel research field.
KW - knitted actuator
KW - multifunctional fabric
KW - nitinol
KW - shape memory alloy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85082240828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1088/1361-665X/ab6ba7
DO - 10.1088/1361-665X/ab6ba7
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85082240828
SN - 0964-1726
VL - 29
JO - Smart Materials and Structures
JF - Smart Materials and Structures
IS - 3
M1 - 035036
ER -