Research Projects

Over the past two decades, there has been a growing interest in electrostriction and magnetostriction in sensors and actuators. However, no micromechanics-based model has been established to address all issues related to electro-magneto-active materials. This is a pressing need to develop a micro-mechanics-based model that will enrich the sensors and actuator industry and further research. The primary objective of this project is to propose a micro-mechanics-based model that addresses many questions related to commonly observed phenomena in electro-magneto-active polymers. The proposal originates from a recent research paper by the investigator and his doctoral student Dr. Deepak Kumar, published in the journal Scientific Report, Nature. The phenomenological constitutive model of an electro-magneto rheological fluid is validated with experimental data, but the model for electro-magneto rheological fluid is not micromechanics-based. This results in fluid behavior based on phenomenological models, not from the core of physics. The proposed project aims to develop a micromechanics-based model that addresses many questions related to the squeezing effect in electroactive polymers. By examining the polarity of the applied voltage, the material will not expand but will squeeze the same amount as before. This micromechanics model will help explore the reasons behind the phenomenon of squeezing, which is not addressed in existing literature.