Sensors 2013, 13(10), 12958-12974; doi:10.3390/s131012958
Electrical Resistivity-Based Study of Self-Sensing Properties for Shape Memory Alloy-Actuated Artificial Muscle
State Key Laboratory of Mechanism System and Vibration, Institute of Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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Received: 11 July 2013 / Revised: 8 September 2013 / Accepted: 12 September 2013 / Published: 26 September 2013
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
Abstract
Shape memory alloy (SMA) has great potential to develop light and compact artificial muscle (AM) due to its muscle-like high power-to-weight ratio, flexibility and silent operation properties. In this paper, SMA self-sensing properties are explored and modeled in depth to imitate the integrated muscle-like functions of actuating and self-sensing for SMA-AM based on the investigation of SMA electrical resistivity (ER). Firstly, an ER transformation kinetics model is proposed based on the simulation of SMA differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves. Then a series of thermal-electrical-mechanical experiments are carried out to verify the validity of the ER model, whereby the SMA-AM self-sensing function is well established under different stress conditions. Finally the self-sensing capability is further demonstrated by its application to a novel SMA-AM-actuated active ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO). View Full-TextKeywords:
shape memory alloy; artificial muscle; self-sensing model; electrical resistivity; active ankle-foot orthosis
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Zhang, J.-J.; Yin, Y.-H.; Zhu, J.-Y. Electrical Resistivity-Based Study of Self-Sensing Properties for Shape Memory Alloy-Actuated Artificial Muscle. Sensors 2013, 13, 12958-12974.