Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
5.9 um
FIGURE 4.94
A micrograph of a PAN raw fiber.
7.4 um
FIGURE 4.95
A micrograph of an oxy-PAN (after heat treatment).
interferences between woven strands restricted the PAN muscle movement. Linear
contractile strains of about 17% have been achieved from woven PAN muscle fibers,
generating force density of 20 gf/g of muscle fiber bundle.
Following the extensive modeling and simulation and realizing that the changes
in volume caused by the electric activation may be the main driving factor of the
PAN fibrous muscle system, a testing module was designed, using a tensile test
machine (INSTRON 1011) to measure a pattern of force change with time variation
during the actuation.
4.6.10.6
PAN Actuator Fabrication
In order to fabricate strong fiber bundles for linear contractile electrochemical syn-
thetic muscle actuation, we embarked on making three-strand braided PAN muscle
fiber bundles with each strand having five single fibers. Figure 4.96 depicts one such
fabricated braided PAN muscle fiber bundle. In order to perform linear contractile
stress-strain tests on such fiber bundles, both ends of braided PAN fiber bundle were
solidified using epoxy glue. A minor change of the fabrication system was made for
easier experimental measurements. Detailed dimensions are provided in figure 4.97.
