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Feasibility of miniature polypyrrole actuated valves Cole, Matthew
Abstract
Polypyrrole is a conducting polymer that can change in volume as its oxidation state is altered. This change in volume, operable at low voltages, can be used to create small actuating devices. The goal of this thesis is to evaluate the use of polypyrrole for the creation of a low voltage polymer valve and to demonstrate the mechanisms that could be used to create these valves. There are a number of challenges in using polypyrrole in a commercially viable valve; it must be able to withstand large temperature variations, have a high strain (to minimize mechanical amplification), have high work density (to minimize the amount of polypyrrole required), have a long lifetime and be assemblable into a compact valve. To evaluate and meet these requirements: 1) The effect of modifying synthesis and actuation conditions on the electrochemical actuation of polypyrrole is investigated to find the conditions that give the highest electrochemical strain and strongest polypyrrole films. Stable and fast strains of 6% at up to 2 MPa for films grown in propylene carbonate and actuated in NaPF6(aq) are achieved. These films were stored for up to 3 months before use with no losses in strain but showed a loss of 0.06% of their maximum strain per electrochemical cycle. 2) Polypyrrole is exposed to temperature variations, showing that high temperature (up to 80°C) exposure has a deleterious effect on polypyrrole actuation. To try and minimize losses, the effect of temperature in both aqueous and organic electrolytes and the mechanism for degradation is investigated. -PF6 grown films in aqueous electrolytes show the least degradation. 3) A linear valve mechanism is built and demonstrates that it should be possible to achieve the force and displacement required to open and close a sliding plate valve. Empirical models suggest that it should be possible to use polypyrrole sliding oil sealed valves. 4) An encapsulatable trilayer is built that seals holes in a perforated plate and could also be used to make a valve.
Item Metadata
Title |
Feasibility of miniature polypyrrole actuated valves
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
2006
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Description |
Polypyrrole is a conducting polymer that can change in volume as its oxidation state is
altered. This change in volume, operable at low voltages, can be used to create small
actuating devices. The goal of this thesis is to evaluate the use of polypyrrole for the
creation of a low voltage polymer valve and to demonstrate the mechanisms that could
be used to create these valves. There are a number of challenges in using polypyrrole in
a commercially viable valve; it must be able to withstand large temperature variations,
have a high strain (to minimize mechanical amplification), have high work density (to
minimize the amount of polypyrrole required), have a long lifetime and be assemblable
into a compact valve.
To evaluate and meet these requirements: 1) The effect of modifying synthesis and
actuation conditions on the electrochemical actuation of polypyrrole is investigated to
find the conditions that give the highest electrochemical strain and strongest polypyrrole
films. Stable and fast strains of 6% at up to 2 MPa for films grown in propylene
carbonate and actuated in NaPF6(aq) are achieved. These films were stored for up to 3
months before use with no losses in strain but showed a loss of 0.06% of their maximum
strain per electrochemical cycle. 2) Polypyrrole is exposed to temperature variations,
showing that high temperature (up to 80°C) exposure has a deleterious effect on
polypyrrole actuation. To try and minimize losses, the effect of temperature in both
aqueous and organic electrolytes and the mechanism for degradation is investigated.
-PF6 grown films in aqueous electrolytes show the least degradation. 3) A linear valve
mechanism is built and demonstrates that it should be possible to achieve the force and
displacement required to open and close a sliding plate valve. Empirical models suggest
that it should be possible to use polypyrrole sliding oil sealed valves. 4) An
encapsulatable trilayer is built that seals holes in a perforated plate and could also be
used to make a valve.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2011-03-09
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0101166
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.