Electro-Active Polymers are new soft materials, which may undergo large reversible deformations (tens of percent strains) under an applied electric field, in contrast to piezo-electric ceramics whose maximum strain is limited to a fraction of percent. This field currently experiences a huge interest in academic laboratories over the world. One motivation relies on the unique properties of these systems, that could find applications in “soft robotics”, where the challenge is to design highly compliant machines that are able to move in topographically complex environments or to manipulate brittle objects. Nevertheless, only very few products based on Electro-Active Polymers have reached the industrial level. The aim of SMArT project is to develop new strategies for innovative applications in soft mechatronics based on a study of dielectric elastomers: structures with adjustable rigidity for vibration control (harnessing electro-mechanical instability); mechanical energy harvesting systems; and in the long run, electrofluidic devices for medical use as well as characterization devices for biological soft tissues. Developing such systems however requires a more fundamental understanding of electro-elastic interactions as well as the complex multiscale properties of polymer networks and the interplay of bulk and interfacial forces. The project meets the objectives of the 3rd axis (Materials and methods) of the Challenge “stimuler le renouveau industriel” of the ANR. It aims to stimulate industrial renewal by creating new electroactive polymeric materials whose principle is based on the multiplicity of physical scales and functions. The project will implement various innovative functionalization processes and surface treatments to obtain controlled conductivity and wetting properties. The project aims at producing new electromechanical functions by playing with the geometry, the topology, the structural organization and interfacial gradients of properties. The project is organized along four complementary work packages. The first of them will constitute a fundamental basis for the other tasks: - WP 0: Fabrication, modeling and characterization - WP 1: Studying and harnessing Electro-mechanical instabilities for new applications. - WP 2: Energy harvesting and sensing applications. - WP 3: Probing and controlling interfacial properties - WP 4: A prototype to demonstrate the most promising applications Preliminary experiments have already been conducted in the two experimental groups and lead us to spot out several technological or theoretical bottlenecks. This experience brought us to build a complementary team dedicated to the success of the project. The project leaders are specialists of non-linear mechanics and physical chemistry. Experimental activities will be completed by theoretical and numerical works. Students with experimental backgrounds are already working within the team and a postdoctoral research fellow will be in charge of the numerical simulations of the project. Cedrat Technologies is a leading company in mechatronics and will bring all its experience in actuation and sensing electronics, mechanical tests and engineering design. It will also play a key role by selecting and then transforming proofs of concept into demonstration prototypes, bringing a first step towards a future industrial development of these new technologies.

The project FloCoS will focus on an integrated flow control actuator driving system taking into account the specific requirements of piezoelectrically driven Synthetic Jet Actuators. The system will be divided into two different main parts: The amplifier unit on the one hand and the control part on the other hand. For making measurement values available which will be used for closed-loop control of the actuator, a dedicated measurement circuit will be developed and optimized for this specific application. A highly integrated and miniaturized electronic module for fluidic AFC actuators will be the output of this project. FloCoS will not only provide smart power amplifier solutions, but also efficient solutions. State-of-the-art power recovery technologies will be used to minimize the needed power for driving the piezoelectric elements. For the addressed application scenarios, e.g. the test of actuators in large scale wind tunnel test studies, there are special requirements for remote access and control for the system. For the test of the actuators as well as the aerodynamic concepts, the actuators have to be driven in WT/T environment, where control computers and power supply connectors may be far away from the point of action. FloCoS will provide remote access to all system parameters with an advanced monitoring and logging functionality. The requested number of actuators suggests that there is a short term plan to test the actuators at a specific region in the wing, e.g. pylon-wing junction or outer wing. The integration aspects for these regions will demand special concepts for miniaturized solutions. The system itself will be encapsulated to comply with all harsh environmental requirements which are applied to the system in relevant environmental conditions. The conformity of the system with the electromagnetic compatibility requirements will be demonstrated by testing.

The project's overall concept is centred on the scaling up of novel, mass-production nano-manufacturing techniques invented by FAST-SMART partners for synthesis of nano-structured smart materials and component manufacturing for energy harvesting applications to significantly improve the material quality and structural reliability (>50%~100% improvement) and reduce overall materials and processing costs (by 30%) through shortening the process chains and improving material processing efficiency, being focused on less and free rare-element dependence materials (such as lead-free piezoelectric and Hf-free half-Heusler thermoelectric materials) as well as on new energy harvester designs considering environmental strategy, thus to bring about positive, environment-related impacts to Europe (greenhouse gas emission down by 50%, waste reduction by 50%), increased EU’s market share worthy hundreds million Euros initially, and to promote wide implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) and Digital Single Market (DSM) in Europe, due to introduction of the new energy harvesting products, design and manufacturing services created through the FAST-SMART’s partnership. Current obstacles to the large-scale introduction of energy harvesters that use materials with less rare-element dependence and/or that are toxicity-free are associated largely with inadequate material performance and reliability, high manufacturing cost, and inadequately developed product design strategy addressing needs for sustainable developments. The main driver of the proposal lies in a need to meet challenges particularly for the development and applications of Piezoelectric (PE) and Thermoelectric (TE) materials, associated structures and systems for new-generation energy harvesters, and for dealing with energy generation, storage and uses related issues with a systematic approach, and hence, to help to meet EU’s targets on the social, economic and environmental developments.