• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.226-230
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• 2005

This paper presents the actuation performance of a conducting shape memory polyurethane (CSMPU) actuator. We introduced a concept of shape memory polyurethane activated by electric power while conventional shape memory polyurethanes are activated by external heat source. A conducting shape memory polyurethane actuator was manufactured by adding cabon nano-tube to conventional shape memory polyurethane. The main problem of the previous CSMPU was bad dispersion of carbon nano-tubes in polyurethane. In this paper, we have tried to find manufacturing method to solve the dispersion problem. With a lot of elaborative works, we have developed conducting shape memory polyurethane actuator with good electrical performance. The actuation performance of the developed conducting shape memory polyurethane actuator was measured and assessed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2006

This paper presents the development and application of a conducting shape memory polyurethane (CSMPU) actuator. While conventional shape memory polyurethanes were activated by external heat source, conducting shape memory polyurethanes introduced in 2004 are activated by electric power. Conducting shape memory polyurethane actuators were manufactured by adding carbon nano tube to conventional shape memory polyurethane. The main problem of the CSMPU developed in 2004 was bad dispersion of carbon nano tubes. In this paper, we tried to find how to solve the dispersion problem, and with a lot of elaborative works, conducting shape memory polyurethane actuators which had better electrical characteristics were developed. Then the actuation performance of the conducting shape memory polyurethane actuators was also measured and assessed. Finally, the possibility of applications were examined through the installation to Micro Air Vehicle.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.976-980
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• 2004

This study has introduced how to make conducting shape memory polyurethane(CSMPu) as a possible application to smart actuators. Different from conventional polyurethane, CSMPu can have a high conductivity and then electric power supplies enough energy to deform. To prepare conducting polyurethane, carbon nanotubes were incorporated into shape memory polyurethane. Basic experiments to reveal its characteristics have been conducted for a development of actuators. From the results conducted in the present study, optimized conditions for the process of actuating deformation were found. Thermo-electric characteristics such as the relation between temperature and specific resistance and trend curves of resistance variations according to elongations were measured. These data provided a strong possibility of CSMPu as a smart actuator.