Adaptive Wing Actuators

The objective of this project is to develop new electrically conductive phase-change polymer actuators for shape control of aircraft structures and active aerodynamics. Phase I will develop new large deflection, modular actuator concepts applicable to adaptive plate structures. New electrically conductive thermopolymers are inexpensive, nonbrittle, lightweight and provide large volume change. Unlike piezoceramic devices, the thermopolymer material can freely fill complex shapes. This project will study biomimetic configurations arrayed with micro-voids or channels filled with thermoactuating polymer to induce strain. The technology will be compatible with surface bonded application and embedded composite structures. Prototype actuator concepts will be modeled, designed, fabricated, and tested in Phase I. New concepts developed in Phase I will be compared with existing shape memory, piezoelectric, and magnetostrictive technologies.