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This work presents a comprehensive open-source simulation and design tool for Soft pneumatic actuators (SPAs) using finite element method, compatible and extensible to a diverse range of soft materials and design parameters. Thorough characterization of the hyperelastic and viscoelastic behavior is illustrated using a sample soft material (Ecoflex 00_30), and an appropriate material constitutive law. SPA performance (displacement and blocked-force) are simulated for two types of SPA and validated with experimental testing. Real-world case studies are presented in which SPA designs are iteratively optimized through simulation to meet specified performance criteria and geometric constraints.

Surface strains in core–shell nanoparticles modify catalytic activity. Here, a continuum-based strategy enables accurate surface-strain-based screening and design of core–shell systems using minimal input as a means to enhance catalytic activity. The approach is validated here for Pt shells on CuxPt(1–x) cores and used to interpret experimental results on the oxygen reduction reaction in the same system. The analysis shows that precise control of particle sizes and shell thicknesses is required to achieve peak activity, rationalizing the limited increases in activity observed in experiments. The method is also applied to core–shell nanorods to demonstrate its wide applicability.

Thesis (MAppSc) -- University of South Australia, 1993 Bibliography: leaf 109-111.