Year

2019

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Intelligent Polymer Research Institute

Abstract

Smart materials are capable of recognising environmental stimuli, processing the information arising from the stimuli, and responding to it in an appropriate manner. It is well known that smart textiles provide some interesting possibilities in this regard. Consequently, smart textiles based on artificial muscles polymer actuators will provide a breakthrough to many areas including soft robotics, prosthetics, and healthcare for the benefit of humankind. Therefore, it is a worthy attempt to work on artificial muscle designs to aid them in smart applications. Artificial muscles fabricated from fishing lines and sewing threads are cost effective superlative actuators which are operated thermally and demonstrated a natural muscle like performance. The fundamental mechanisms of these muscle actuators were studied and presented in the research reported to date. The thermally operated actuators provide reliable method of operation compared to other actuation mechanisms which is comprehensively discussed in the literature review. This thesis introduces an approach in combining these artificial muscles in smart textile structures as a strategy to integrate into practical applications with human interferences.

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Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.