We have performed sequential studies on new types of soft rubber for their application as artificial skin in robots and haptic sensors. Based on a proposed electrolytic polymerization method and novel adhesion techniq...We have performed sequential studies on new types of soft rubber for their application as artificial skin in robots and haptic sensors. Based on a proposed electrolytic polymerization method and novel adhesion technique for rubber and a metal that utilizes a metal complex hydrate, we have developed an MCF rubber sensor. This sensor uses a magnetic compound fluid (MCF), natural rubber (NR-latex) or chloroprene rubber latex (CR-latex), and requires the application of a magnetic field. The potential application of the developed sensor in various engineering scenarios and our daily lives is significant. In this regard, we investigated the effects of γ-irradiation, infrared radiation, microwaves, and a thermal source on the MCF rubber sensor. We established that the MCF rubber is effective enough to be used for power generation of broadband electro-magnetic waves from γ-rays to microwaves, including the range of the solar spectrum, which is the typical characteristic obtained in the present investigation. The remarkable attribute is that the MCF rubber sensor dose is not degraded by γ-irradiation. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of the MCF rubber sensor in energy harvesting.展开更多
Rule of similarity and latex compounding techniques were combined for the first time to prepare natural rubber/nanosilica （NR/SiO2） nanocomposite with core-shell nanosilica-poly （methyl methacrylate） （SiO2-PMMA）...Rule of similarity and latex compounding techniques were combined for the first time to prepare natural rubber/nanosilica （NR/SiO2） nanocomposite with core-shell nanosilica-poly （methyl methacrylate） （SiO2-PMMA） particles and PMMA-modified natural rubber matrix （NR-PMMA）. The micro- structure of SiO2 and nanocomposites with different SiO2 contents was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）; the morphology of nanocomposites was investigated with scanning electron microscopy （SEM）; the tensile strength was characterized by tensile testing machine and the thermal stability of composites was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Results showed that PMMA chains have successfully grafted onto the surface of SiO2, and the core-shell SiO2-PMMA nanoparticles and NR-PMMA latex have been perfectly incorporated. SiO2-PMMA nanoparticles are evenly distributed over the NR matrix with an average size in the range of 60-100 nm at the low content （SiO2≤ 3 wt%）, while aggregations are apparently observed when 5 wt% SiO2 is loaded. In addition, NP/SiO2 composities possess a considerable improvement in ageing resistance compared with the pure NR. The tensile strength of composite increases from 6.99 to 12.72 MPa, reaching the highest value at a 0.5 wt% SiO2 loading, and then the figure decreases gradually because of the aggregation of SiO2 nanoparticles. It is anticipated that the reported process is to provide a simple and economic way for preparing NR composites.展开更多
For cases in which a robot with installed solar cells and a sensor operates in a nuclear reactor building or in space for extravehicular activity, we require elastic and extensible solar cells. More than two different...For cases in which a robot with installed solar cells and a sensor operates in a nuclear reactor building or in space for extravehicular activity, we require elastic and extensible solar cells. More than two different types of sensing are also required, minimally with photovoltaics and built-in electricity. Magnetic compound fluid (MCF) rubber solar cells are made of rubber, so they are elastic and extensible as well as sensitive. To achieve flexibility and an effective photovoltaic effect, MCF rubber solar cells must include both soluble and insoluble rubbers, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, TiO<sub>2</sub>, Na<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>4</sub>∙2H<sub>2</sub>O, etc. On the basis of this constitution, we propose a consummate fabrication process for MCF rubber solar cells. The characteristics of these cells result from the semiconductor-like role of the molecules of TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Ni, Na<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>4</sub>∙2H<sub>2</sub>O, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), natural rubber (NR), oleic acid, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), water and magnetic cluster involved in the MCF rubber. Their tendencies can be deduced by synthesizing knowledge about the enhancement of the reverse-bias saturation current <em>I</em><sub><em>S</em></sub> and the diode ideality factor <em>N</em>, with conventional knowledge about the semiconductor affected by <em>γ</em>-irradiation and the attenuation of the photon energy of <em>γ</em>-rays.展开更多
文摘We have performed sequential studies on new types of soft rubber for their application as artificial skin in robots and haptic sensors. Based on a proposed electrolytic polymerization method and novel adhesion technique for rubber and a metal that utilizes a metal complex hydrate, we have developed an MCF rubber sensor. This sensor uses a magnetic compound fluid (MCF), natural rubber (NR-latex) or chloroprene rubber latex (CR-latex), and requires the application of a magnetic field. The potential application of the developed sensor in various engineering scenarios and our daily lives is significant. In this regard, we investigated the effects of γ-irradiation, infrared radiation, microwaves, and a thermal source on the MCF rubber sensor. We established that the MCF rubber is effective enough to be used for power generation of broadband electro-magnetic waves from γ-rays to microwaves, including the range of the solar spectrum, which is the typical characteristic obtained in the present investigation. The remarkable attribute is that the MCF rubber sensor dose is not degraded by γ-irradiation. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of the MCF rubber sensor in energy harvesting.
基金Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.50763006)Ministry of Science and Technology R&D Research Institutes(No.2008EG134285)+1 种基金973 Program Special Fund(No.2010CB635109)the Fundamental Research Funds for Rubber Research Institute,CATAS(No.1630022012013)
文摘Rule of similarity and latex compounding techniques were combined for the first time to prepare natural rubber/nanosilica （NR/SiO2） nanocomposite with core-shell nanosilica-poly （methyl methacrylate） （SiO2-PMMA） particles and PMMA-modified natural rubber matrix （NR-PMMA）. The micro- structure of SiO2 and nanocomposites with different SiO2 contents was characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）; the morphology of nanocomposites was investigated with scanning electron microscopy （SEM）; the tensile strength was characterized by tensile testing machine and the thermal stability of composites was studied by thermal gravimetric analysis. Results showed that PMMA chains have successfully grafted onto the surface of SiO2, and the core-shell SiO2-PMMA nanoparticles and NR-PMMA latex have been perfectly incorporated. SiO2-PMMA nanoparticles are evenly distributed over the NR matrix with an average size in the range of 60-100 nm at the low content （SiO2≤ 3 wt%）, while aggregations are apparently observed when 5 wt% SiO2 is loaded. In addition, NP/SiO2 composities possess a considerable improvement in ageing resistance compared with the pure NR. The tensile strength of composite increases from 6.99 to 12.72 MPa, reaching the highest value at a 0.5 wt% SiO2 loading, and then the figure decreases gradually because of the aggregation of SiO2 nanoparticles. It is anticipated that the reported process is to provide a simple and economic way for preparing NR composites.
文摘For cases in which a robot with installed solar cells and a sensor operates in a nuclear reactor building or in space for extravehicular activity, we require elastic and extensible solar cells. More than two different types of sensing are also required, minimally with photovoltaics and built-in electricity. Magnetic compound fluid (MCF) rubber solar cells are made of rubber, so they are elastic and extensible as well as sensitive. To achieve flexibility and an effective photovoltaic effect, MCF rubber solar cells must include both soluble and insoluble rubbers, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, TiO<sub>2</sub>, Na<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>4</sub>∙2H<sub>2</sub>O, etc. On the basis of this constitution, we propose a consummate fabrication process for MCF rubber solar cells. The characteristics of these cells result from the semiconductor-like role of the molecules of TiO<sub>2</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Ni, Na<sub>2</sub>WO<sub>4</sub>∙2H<sub>2</sub>O, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), natural rubber (NR), oleic acid, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), water and magnetic cluster involved in the MCF rubber. Their tendencies can be deduced by synthesizing knowledge about the enhancement of the reverse-bias saturation current <em>I</em><sub><em>S</em></sub> and the diode ideality factor <em>N</em>, with conventional knowledge about the semiconductor affected by <em>γ</em>-irradiation and the attenuation of the photon energy of <em>γ</em>-rays.
