Force and deflection modeling of IPMC fingers

This paper utilizes a FEA (Finite Element Analysis) model to determine the change in performance that results from varying the size and shape of multiple IPMC (Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite) fingers. Unlike earlier IPMC models that predicted only deflection, this effort predicts both deflection and force. Modeling these different fingers, we are able to determine the tip deflection and force output which can then be verified experimentally. A 7 mm × 17 mm finger was modeled and determined to have a deflection of 1.44 mm and force of 2.61 mN, while the experimental data was determined to be 1.4 mm and 2.0 mN, respectively. The model had an error of 2.77% deflection and 23.37% force. Another triangular finger was also modeled in a similar fashion.