Shape memory polymer (SMP) actuation technology

Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) is developing low-cost, lightweight, shape memory polymer (SMP) actuators for use in the deployment of rigid aeroshells. The SMP actuator technology has been selected for use because of its ability to store energy, within a very small volume, and release that energy on demand with little requirement for power. During the Phase I SBIR effort, CRG demonstrated the feasibility of using a thermally activated SMP actuator for the deployment of a subscale, rigid, deployable aeroshell. The follow-on Phase II effort improved upon the Phase I actuator technology through the application of finite element analysis and testing. This work resulted in the fabrication of a full-scale actuator (0.127m long, 0.102m diameter) that was able to develop more than 40 ft-lb of torque during actuation. A conformal cartridge heater (CCH) was developed in parallel to solve the problem of efficiently transferring heat stimulus into the SMP materials. The CCH maintains surface contact with the walls of the SMP actuator throughout the actuator's range of motion to optimize the heat transfer between the heating surface and the SMP material surface. The SMP actuator also has the potential of moving or deploying mechanisms simply through environmental stimulus. Since CRG is able to custom tailor the material properties of the SMP, broad application of this technology is possible.