Artificial Muscle (Finite Element Analysis) and Material Testing

Faculty Mentor: Nicholas Witham

Title: Graduate Student

College: Engineering

School / Department: Bioengineering

Project description

Twisted coiled polymer actuators (TCPAs) are an emergent type of thermomotive artificial muscle that have biomechanically surpassed human skeletal muscles (HSM). We want to use documented material properties to computationally model their thermomechanical response. We will then use this knowledge to optimize the control schema for our ideal actuator.

Student Role: Finite Element Analyst

Student Benefits: Possible publication authorship, conference attendance, and patent ownership

Project Duration: Duration: Fall 2022, hours per week 8

Opportunity Type: Prepare a UROP proposal; Write an Honors Thesis or Senior Thesis; Earn independent study credit; Volunteer; This is a work-study research position

Is this a paid opportunity: No

Minimum Requirements: Skilled in: Matlab, Solidworks, Finite Element Analysis
Materials science: Thermal, Electrical, and Mechanical