Now open for submissions
A new themed collection in Materials Advances will focus on the theory, the manufacturing, the characterization, and the applications of stimuli-responsive polymers, with particular emphasis on their remote actuation.
Actuators play a crucial and indispensable role in shaping the landscape of modern technology. These remarkable devices are the driving force behind the controlled motion and enable a wide array of applications across various industries. Customized functionality and optimized performance, leading to versatile and adaptable actuation systems, can be achieved through the capability of designing and tailoring properties in polymer actuators. To reach this goal, a reliable, thermodynamically-consistent and computationally affordable multiphysics modeling plays a crucial role. Following a thermodynamically-consistent approach is essential to properly couple mechanics with other realms of physics, such as actuation and sensing can be studied within the same theoretical framework. Additionally, the development of computationally affordable modeling techniques enables efficient and practical analysis along with the exploration of a wide range of actuator designs and operating conditions. The integration of these two modeling features not only promotes optimized analysis and design but also enhances the fundamental understanding of stimuli-responsive. Ad hoc experimental characterization facilitating the identification of the model parameters constitutes a key aspect of this process.; this should possibly leverage on the duality between actuation and sensing.
The integration of 0D, 1D, and 2D nanomaterials in polymer composites revolutionizes the multimodal actuation and control and offers unprecedented miniaturization and enhanced functionality. Moreover, development of Hybrid nanocomposites further expands the possibilities by combining different materials, resulting in synergistic effects and improved actuation performance. In recent times, actuators based on biodegradable and natural polymers are gaining significant importance. These materials not only offer sustainable alternatives but also exhibit impressive actuation properties. This enables actuators to cater to a wide range of application-specific requirements, from soft robotics to adaptive structures. These actuators are revolutionizing robotics, healthcare, automation, and many other domains. Their unique capabilities, such as precise motion control and adaptive response, enable the development of innovative solutions and pave the way for new technological advancements.
The goal of this themed collection will be to bring together contributions concerned with the most recent advances in the multimodal actuation and sensing of polymers. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Designing and tailoring properties in polymer actuators
- 0D, 1D, and 2D nanomaterials for remote actuation in composites
- Hybrid nanocomposites for remote actuation
- Biodegradable/natural polymeric actuators
- Stimuli for enhanced remote control in polymer actuators
- Breakthroughs and transformative applications of actuators
- Thermodynamically-consistent multiphysics modeling of stimuli-responsive polymers
- Modeling charged species and solvent transports in ionic-electroactive polymers
- Ionic polymer metal composites: characterization of boundary layers of charged species and performance as a function of the environmental conditions
We look forward to seeing your latest work in this field!
Guest Edited by
Lorenzo Bardella, University of Brescia, Italy
Mohammad Luqman, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia
Vinay Deep Punetha, P P Savani University, India
