Multi-field Modelling of Soft Active Materials

An expert and up-to-date discussion of the properties and design of soft active material modeling

In Multi-Field Modeling of Soft Active Materials: Properties and Design, distinguished researcher Rui Xiao delivers an up-to-date exploration of the multi-field modeling of soft active materials, including shape-memory polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, dielectric elastomers, magnetic elastomers, and hydrogels. The book discusses the modeling, simulation, and theoretical progress on each covered soft active material.

The author provides guidance on future development of the theoretical approaches for active materials, as well as efficient tools to design functional soft machines composed of active materials. He offers a deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms of stimulus-response behaviors.

Readers will also find:

• A thorough introduction to the basics of continuum mechanics
• Comprehensive explorations of hyperelastic and viscoeleastic models
• Practical discussions of an electro-mechanical coupled model for dielectric elastomers
• A complete treatment of a chemo-mechanical model for hydrogels

Perfect for materials scientists, polymer chemists, analytical chemists, and theoretical chemists, Multi-Field Modeling of Soft Active Materials will also benefit computer analysts with an interest in functional soft machines. 1. Preliminary knowledge of finite deformation theory
1.1 Kinematics
1.2 Stress
1.3 Balance principles
1.4 Hyperelastic models

2. Multi-field modelling of shape-memory polymers
2.1 Modelling amorphous shape-memory polymers
2.2 Modelling semi-crystalline shape-memory polymers

3. Multi-field modelling of liquid crystal elastomers
3.1 Mechanics of monodomain liquid crystal elastomers
3.2 Mechanics of polydomain liquid crystal elastomers

4. Multi-field modelling of dielectric elastomers
4.1 Thermodynamic framework
4.2 Electro-mechanical model of dielectric elastomers

5. Multi-field modelling of magnetic elastomers
5.1 Mechanics of soft magnetic elastomers
5.2 Mechanics of hard magnetic elastomers

6. Multi-field modelling of hydrogels
6.1 Mechanics of neutral gels
6.2 Mechanics of thermo-responsive gels
6.3 Mechanics of ionic gels

Rui Xiao, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Engineering Mechanics at Zhejiang University. His research is focused on the constitute relationship of polymers, smart materials and structures, and the mechanics of soft materials.