Optimizing the morphing displacement of sandwiched nanotube buckypaper actuators via design of experiments methodology

The actuation properties of carbon nanotube buckypaper have been proved and demonstrated in many researchers' studies. Sandwiched buckypaper/porous film+ion liquid/buckypaper structure showed the lightweight and high efficient morphing displacement actuator at a low electrical power with square wave frequency. However, the buckypaper actuation performance showed the huge variation due to their material components and manufacturing process. Buckypapers are made by different type's carbon nanotubes and fabricated by difference preparation processes will result in various electrical properties and actuation performance. This work first will understand the buckypaper electrical properties which are fabricated by two manufacturing process of positive pressure filtration process and negative pressure filtration process. In addition, we will compare and optimize the displacement performances of two different buckypapers, analyze the relationship between the electrical properties and displacement and blocking force performance buckypaper actuator via Design of Experiment (DOE) methodology. To incorporate buckypaper actuators into engineering systems, it is of high importance to understand their material property-actuation performance relationships in order to model and predict the behavior of these actuators. The electromechanical actuation of macroscopic buckypaper structures and their actuators will be investigated and analyzed. Using DOE methodology, the optimal or appropriated manufacturing parameter settings will be suggested for high displacement, stable actuation, and good durability within fewer experimental runs.