Plants and Mechanical Motion

1. Plants and Mechanical Motion—A Synthetic Approach to Nastic Materials and Structures
Janet M. Sater, John A. Main and Robert McHenry

• Introduction
• Plant Nastic Responses as Models for Mechanical/Adaptive Structures
• Synthetic Nastic Materials
• Fluidic Muscle Actuators
• References

2. Controllable Microhydraulic Actuation Using Biological Ion Transporters
D.J. Leo, J. Cuppoletti, S. Narang and V.B. Sundaresan

• Introduction
• Material Selection—Membrane Assembly
• pH Gradient Driven Transport
• Actuator Prototypes
• Final Discussion
• Conclusion
• References

3. Electrochemical Actuators Utilizing Solid-State Intercalation Compounds and Their Applications to Smart Structures
Y.-M. Chiang, S.R. Hall, T.E. Chin, F. Tubilla, G. Baetz, D. Sapnaras and K.Y. Song

• Introduction
• Materials Characterization and Prototype Actuators
• Applications to Smart Structures: Design and Implementation
• Conclusions and Future Prospects
• References

4. Electroosmotically-Actuated Hydrogel for Nastic Actuation
Reh-Lin Chen, Chuan-Hua Chen, Bing-Chung Chen and Chung-Lung Chen

• Introduction
• Electroosmotically-Actuated Hydrogel
• Nastic Actuation
• Technical Issues
• Summary
• References

5. Electrochemical/Combustion Actuation to Achieve Helicopter Blade Twist
G.F. Hawkins, P.A. Hess, T.J. Curtiss, M.J. O’Brien, T.A. Moore, E.W. Fournier, B.B. Brady, S.D. Patty, M.A. Eby and J. Thomas

• Introduction
• Active Twist Airfoil System
• Gas Generation for Actuation
• Actuator Testing and Results
• Prototype Blade Twist Results
• Conclusions and Future Applications
• References

6. Learning from Plants—Recent Advances in Fluidic Flexible Matrix Composite basedMulti-Cellular and Multi-Functional Adaptive Structures
Suyi Li and K.W. Wang

• Introduction to F2MC and Its Functionality
• Dynamic Characteristics of Multi-cellular F2MC Structure
• Development of Multi-functional F2MC Cellular Structure
• Conclusion
• Acknowledgements
• Nomenclature
• References

7. Soft Robotic Manipulators: Design, Analysis, and Control
Deepak Trivedi and Christopher D. Rahn

• Soft Robot Materials
• The OctArm
• Future of Soft Robots
• Conclusions
• References

8. Plant-Inspired Flexible Matrix Composite Actuators for Biomimetic Underwater Propulsion Systems
Michael Philen

• Introduction
• Objectives
• FMC Actuators for Development of an Artificial Fish
• Performance of Alligator Swimming Using FMC Actuators
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgements
• References

9. Bio-Inspired Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Actuation of Trailing Edge Flaps in a Helicopter Rotor
Benjamin K.S. Woods, Curt S. Kothera and Norman M. Wereley

• Introduction
• PAM Actuator Development
• Trailing Edge Flap Actuation System Design
• Wind Tunnel Test Article Design
• Wind Tunnel Results and Discussion
• PAM-TEF System Whirl Testing
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgement
• References

10. Final Discussion and Conclusions
Janet M. Sater, John A. Main and Robert McHenry

• Final Discussion
• Summary and Concluding Remarks
• References

Index