Daniel J. Segalman

TL;DR: In this paper, a continuum theory of viscoelasticity is developed which allows non-affine deformation, defined in an appropriate manner, and applied to simple shear flows, the scalar parameter being determined to match certain experimental data.

TL;DR: In this article, a four-parameter constitutive model for lap-type joints is proposed to predict the force/displacement results from arbitrary load histories, based on matching joint stiffness under low load, the force necessary to initiate macroslip, and experimental values of energy dissipation in harmonic loading.

TL;DR: Stability of the reduced order model using this approach is demonstrated on several model problems, where a suitable approximation basis is generated using proper orthogonal decomposition of a transient computational fluid dynamics simulation.

TL;DR: A non-invasive wearable device to track tendon loads by measuring shear wave propagation speed, and its use during dynamic human movements is demonstrated.

Abstract: Electrically controlled polymeric gel actuators or synthetic muscles capable of undergoing substantial expansion and contraction when subjected to changing pH environments, temperature, or solvent The actuators employ compliant containers for the gels and their solvents The gels employed may be cylindrical electromechanical gel fibers such as polyacrylamide fibers or a mixture of poly vinyl alcohol-polyacrylic acid arranged in a parallel aggregate and contained in an electrolytic solvent bath such as salt water The invention includes smart, electrically activated devices exploiting this phenomenon These devices are capable of being manipulated via active computer control as large displacement actuators for use in adaptive structure such as robots