Numerical modeling of nonlinear photoelasticity

Mehnert M, Oates W, Steinmann P (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering Wiley

DOI: 10.1002/nme.7177

Abstract

When molecular photo-switches, such as azobenzene or norbornadiene, are embedded into a sufficiently soft polymer matrix the resulting compound can undergo a mechanical deformation induced by light of a specific wavelength. These photo-sensitive compounds have the potential to be applied as soft actuators without the need for hard wired electronics or a separate energy source. Such characteristics are especially attractive in the design of micro-scale robots but also other applications such as high-speed data transfer or the conversion of photonic energy into a mechanical response holds great promise. Despite these almost futuristic possibilities, photo-sensitive polymers have not yet experienced a sufficient attention in industrial applications. One important factor to increase the acceptance of this group of soft smart materials is the formulation of a rigorous constitutive modeling approach in combination with numerical simulation methods. Thus, in this contribution we present a photo-mechanical modeling approach, departing from the fundamentals published previously. We briefly introduce the necessary constitutive equations which are subsequently utilized in combination with the respective balance laws into a finite element implementation. Finally, the capabilities of the numerical solution approach are illustrated by a simple two-dimensional bench-mark example and subsequently extended to a more complex three-dimensional problem.

Authors with CRIS profile

Markus Mehnert Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik Paul Steinmann Lehrstuhl für Technische Mechanik

Additional Organisation(s)

Graduiertenkolleg 2495 Energiekonvertierungssysteme: von Materialien zu Bauteilen (Energy Conversion Systems: From Materials to Devices)

Involved external institutions

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Mehnert, M., Oates, W., & Steinmann, P. (2022). Numerical modeling of nonlinear photoelasticity. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/nme.7177

MLA:

Mehnert, Markus, William Oates, and Paul Steinmann. "Numerical modeling of nonlinear photoelasticity." International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering (2022).

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