Deformation properties of novel chain-like structural magneto-active elastomers

Abstract

Soft Magneto-active Elastomer (MAE) with soft magnetic particles arranged in chains (chain-like structure) can be driven by homogenous magnetic fields, which has great application potential in the area of soft robots. It is important to reveal the relationship between the magneto-actuation characteristics and the arrangement of chain angle, which is one of the essential issues for the practical application of the MAE with chain-like structure. In this study, the kinetic deformation properties of centimeter-scale soft MAE samples with different chain angles subjected to applied homogenous magnetic fields will be investigated based on the designed experimental set-up, and then a mathematical model will be proposed to describe the kinetic deformation properties. The presented research work will provide fundamental investigation on the application of soft robots based on MAE type materials.