Polymeric materials for adaptronic fibre modules

The scientific field of "Adaptronics" combines sensor and actuator effects with electronics. The components furnished with adaptronics shall sense relevant properties and shall adapt in an intelligent way-they shall "feel, think and act". For instance, one application is the active vibration compensation of dynamically stressed structures. The scope of the work to be presented is to manufacture sensor/actuator microsystems with a low stiffness and thickness in order to sustain the favourable properties of the lightweight material used. In so doing, various adhesives and casting materials play an indispensable part in the manufacturing processes. The micro manufacturing of such systems is an activity of the Fraunhofer-Institute IFAM. The approach chosen includes the utilisation of piezo electric fibres in the diameter range from 20 /spl mu/m-200 /spl mu/m. The fibre modules consist of many fibres being contacted by interdigitated electrodes made of electrically conductive adhesives. In addition, structural adhesives and casting polymers are used.