Jan Klesa

Bio: Jan Klesa is an academic researcher from Czech Technical University in Prague. The author has contributed to research in topics: Viscoelasticity & Dynamic mechanical analysis. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 37 citations.

Investigations on the frequency and temperature effects on mechanical properties of a shape memory polymer (Veriflex)

Abstract: This study proposes a comparison between three identification methods of the mechanical properties of a shape memory polymer (Veriflex®): quasi-static tensile tests, tensile dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and modal tests. The Young’s modulus and the Poisson’s ratio are determined at ambient temperature using the first technique. The DMA is used to determine the evolution of the viscoelastic properties versus the temperature and the frequency under harmonic loading. The modal analysis is used to identify the viscoelastic properties of the material at higher frequencies. The purpose of this study is to check the validity of the time–temperature equivalence for the Veriflex® obtained from the DMA measurements. It is shown that the viscoelastic properties predicted through the master curve are consistent with the measurements collected using quasi-static and modal test. The aging effect on SMP properties is also quantified.

Experimental Evaluation of the Rheological Properties of Veriflex Shape Memory Polymer

Abstract: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are materials with a great potential for future use in smart materials and structures. When heated from cold state (below the transformation temperature, which can either be the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature of the polymer) to hot state (above the transformation temperature) they undergo transformation which can be compared with martensitic transformation of shape memory alloys. This process induces great changes of the mechanical properties and some shape memory phenomenon can be observed. This study is an experimental evaluation of the mechanical properties of SMP Veriflex under different test conditions. Veriflex was chosen because of its easy accessibility. Furthermore its properties are similar to epoxy resins which make it very suitable for usage in a wide variety of technical applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to determine evolution of the viscoelastic properties versus temperature and frequency under cyclic harmonic loading. The glass transition temperature clearly appears in a range from 45\degree C to 60\degree C depending on loading frequency. The glass transition is noticeably marked by an impressive decrease in the storage modulus of about 4 decades. The master curve of Veriflex was created and allows the time-temperature superposition to be constructed for this material. Thermo-mechanical working cycle of SMP with 100% elongation was also experimentally tested. Finally results from all these experimental investigations were used to design a demonstrator showing the possibility of application in engineering and especially for shape control.

Experimental Evaluation of the Rheological Properties of Veriflex ® Shape Memory Polymer

Abstract: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are materials with a great potential for future use in smart materials and structures. When heated from cold state (below the transformation temperature, which can either be the glass transition temperature or the melting temperature of the polymer) to hot state (above the transformation temperature) they undergo transformation which can be compared with martensitic transformation of shape memory alloys. This process induces great changes of the mechanical properties and some shape memory phenomenon can be observed. This study is an experimental evaluation of the mechanical properties of SMP Veriflex ® under different test conditions. Veriflex ® was chosen because of its easy accessibility. Furthermore its properties are similar to epoxy resins which make it very suitable for usage in a wide variety of technical applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to determine evolution of the viscoelastic properties versus temperature and frequency under cyclic harmonic loading. The glass transition temperature clearly appears in a range from 45°C to 60°C depending on loading frequency. The glass transition is noticeably marked by an impressive decrease in the storage modulus of about 4 decades. The master curve of Veriflex ® was created and allows the time-temperature superposition to be constructed for this material. Thermo-mechanical working cycle of SMP with 100% elongation was also experimentally tested. Finally results from all these experimental investigations were used to design a demonstrator showing the possibility of application in engineering and especially for shape control.

Aerodynamic and Structural Aspects of a Distributed Propulsion System for Commuter Airplane

Abstract: In this paper, an aerodynamic and structural computation framework was produced to develop a more efficient aircraft configuration considering a wing with a distributed electric propulsion and its use in different flight missions. For that reason, a model of a regional airplane was used as a case study. The considered model was a nine-seat light airplane with a cruise speed of 500 km/h at an altitude 9000 m. The design of the distributed system is introduced, then the aerodynamic and structural aspects of the new wing with distributed electric propulsion system are calculated, and finally flight performances are calculated for the purpose of analysis of the DEP effect. The design of the DEP system aimed at meeting the required landing conditions and the masses of its components, such as the electric motors, the control units and the power source of the DEP system were estimated. Aerodynamic calculations included computations of different wing aspect ratios. These calculations take into account the drag of the existing airplane parts such as fuselage and tail surfaces. A modified lifting-line theory was used as a computational tool for the preliminary study. It was used to calculate the wing drag in cruise regime and to determine the distribution of aerodynamic forces and moments. Next, based on aerodynamic calculations and flight envelope, the basic skeletal parts of the wing were designed and the weight of the wing was calculated. Finally, fuel consumption calculations for different wing sizes were made and compared with the original design. The results show that a wing with a 35% reduction in area can reduce fuel consumption by more than 6% while keeping the same overall weight of the aircraft.

Wideband frequency characterization of a shape memory polymer

Abstract: This study is an experimental evaluation of the mechanical properties of shape memory polymer Veriflex R under different tests conditions. Veriflex R was chosen because of its easy accessibility and its properties similar to epoxy resins which make it very suitable for use in a wide variety of technical applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) has been used to determine the evolution of the viscoelastic properties versus temperature and frequency under harmonic loading. The time-temperature superposition principle has been found to be valid for this material. This is illustrated here through the use of the master curves. Furthermore a modal analysis on a Veriflex R rectangular plate has been performed in order to reach higher frequencies than the DMA, and a finite element model was employed to find the viscoelastic properties of the material. A correlation between these two experimental methods allowed to highlight a disparity of results explained by the deterioration of the Veriflex R over time.

Porous shape memory polymers: Design and applications

Abstract: Porous shape memory polymers (SMPs) exhibit geometric and volumetric shape change when actuated by an external stimulus and can be fabricated as foams, scaffolds, meshes, and other polymeric substrates that possess porous three-dimensional macrostructures. These materials have applications in multiple industries such as textiles, biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and aerospace. This review article examines recent developments in porous SMPs, with a focus on fabrication methods, methods of characterization, modes of actuation, and applications. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1300–1318

Dynamic mechanical behavior of nickel-based superalloy metal rubber

Abstract: The work describes the manufacturing and dynamic characterization of nickel wire-based metal rubber (MR) solids. The storage modulus and the loss factor of the nickel MR samples are measured over a frequency range between 0.1 Hz and 200 Hz, and at different levels of dynamic force and strain using a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) technique. A sensitivity analysis about the effect of different static and dynamic testing parameters is initially carried out to identify suitable testing protocols for this metal porous material. DMA testing is then carried out over three different batches of samples (5 specimens each) with variable relative densities to identify the correlation between storage modulus and loss factors with frequency and dynamic force and strain levels. The results are discussed using a mechanical theoretical model relating the mechanical properties of MR solids to the contact states of the wire composing the microstructure. A comparison with analogous results obtained from cyclic tests at 1 Hz from a conventional tensile machine is also performed. The results from this benchmark highlight the necessity to use dynamic-based testing protocols to efficiently implement nickel-based metal rubber for vibration damping and energy absorption designs and applications.

Sandwich structures with tunable damping properties: On the use of Shape Memory Polymer as viscoelastic core

Abstract: A Shape Memory Polymer (SMP), the tBA/PEGDMA, is used as viscoelastic core in sandwich structures. The dynamic mechanical characterization of this SMP highlights promising damping properties. The composite sandwich is developed by coupling the SMP with aluminum skins. The SMP core temperature is tuned from the Time–Temperature Superposition Principle through a rainbow calibration curve in order to correspond to optimal values of damping ratio in the frequency range of interest. The damping performances predicted by a Finite Element model are validated experimentally using modal analysis. The experimental results are found to be in good agreement with the predictions of the Finite Element model. Furthermore, it is found that the controlled heating of the SMP core allows damping the structure over a wide frequency range. The methodology which is proposed in this paper is applicable to any viscoelastic material exhibiting frequency – and temperature – dependent high damping properties.

Active composites based on shape memory polymers: overview, fabrication methods, applications, and future prospects

Abstract: Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have received immense attention from materials research community thanks to their unrivaled properties such as high recoverable strains (up to 400%), low weight, tailorable properties, easy processing, and multiple activation methods. Researchers in both academia and industry have been proposing, experimenting, analyzing, and reporting on various aspects of these materials from synthesis to their applications. Such efforts have led to skyrocketing research output in terms of published papers, especially in the last half a decade. Despite the flourishing research, numerous challenges that hinder advanced applications still exist with the predominant one being the low mechanical properties. To circumvent these challenges, various types of reinforcements have been utilized, leading to significant enhancements and widened potential applications. This work presents an overview of the present research on active composites. Areas covered include the background of SMPs, reinforcements, fabrication techniques, stimulus methods, and applications. Our review is particularly unique in that we included discussions on the various fabrication techniques for SMP composites including their merits and demerits which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first review to include such discussion, thus making it a complete reference material.