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2022 | Book

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Modeling the Electrochemo-poromechanics of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites and Cell Clusters

Author: Alessandro Leronni

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Springer Theses

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik"

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About this book

This book presents a novel continuum finite deformation framework addressing the complex interactions among electrostatics, species transport, and mechanics in solid networks immersed in a fluid phase of solvent and ions. Grounded on cutting-edge multiphysics theories for soft active materials, the proposed model is primarily applied to ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs). First, the influence of shear deformation on the IPMC response is analyzed through semi-analytical solutions obtained via the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Second, the novel electrochemo-poromechanical theory is used to predict the curvature relaxation and electric discharge that are observed in IPMC actuation and sensing, respectively, under a sustained stimulus. This newly formulated theory is, in turn, applied to biological cell clusters. Here, important mechanical considerations are integrated into classical bioelectrical models, thus offering novel insights into the interplay of mechanical and electrical signaling in the coordination of developmental processes.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
In recent years, the field of soft robotics has attracted increasing interest from the scientific community [28, 47, 57]. The aim of this line of research is to design and assemble robots capable of undergoing large deformations, endowed with self-integrated sensors, control systems and power sources. Correspondingly, the field demands the synergistic effort of different specialists, including electrical, chemical and mechanical engineers. Moreover, soft robots are typically bioinspired and are required to be biocompatible, as they are of importance for biomedical applications. Therefore, biologists are likewise fundamental in this sector.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 2. Notation and Symbols
Abstract
In this thesis, we denote scalars with lightface letters, whereas we indicate vectors and tensors with boldface letters.
Alessandro Leronni

Ionic Polymer Metal Composites

Frontmatter
Chapter 3. Introduction
Abstract
Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) are sandwich micro-devices, whose core, denoted as the membrane and plated with thin metal electrodes, consists of a negatively charged polymer network soaked in a fluid phase of solvent and cations, referred to as counterions [33]. The IPMC electroactive behavior has to be ascribed to the possibility of these counterions to redistribute within the membrane upon the imposition of an electrical or mechanical stimulus.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 4. The Role of Shear Deformation in the Sensing Response of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites
Abstract
In this chapter, we adopt the Cha and Porfiri [13] electrochemo-mechanical theory, summarized in Sect. 4.2, with the aim of investigating the influence of shear deformation on IPMC sensing. This would in fact seem to be a quite natural issue to address in IPMCs, given their sandwich structure, such that their flexure should be affected by shear [4]. A further motivation for this study is provided by Zangrilli and Weiland [43], whose experiments show some evidence of sensing promoted by shear loading.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 5. A Comprehensive Electrochemo-Poromechanical Theory for Actuation and Sensing of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites
Abstract
This chapter is adapted from “Leronni and Bardella [34], Modeling actuation and sensing in ionic polymer metal composites by electrochemo-poromechanics, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 148:104292”.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 6. Discussion
Abstract
In this final chapter on IPMCs, we analyze and compare the electrochemo-mechanical (ECM) and electrochemo-poromechanical (ECPM) theories presented in Sects. 4.​2 and 5.​2, respectively.
Alessandro Leronni

Cell Clusters

Frontmatter
Chapter 7. Introduction
Abstract
Traditionally, developmental biology has been studied from a genetic and biochemical perspective. Indeed, the pivotal contribution of Turing [37] proposes that chemical patterns generated through reaction and diffusion of chemical substances instruct embryo development. The work of Wolpert [39] suggests instead that the concentration gradient of morphogens provides positional information toward cell pattern formation.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 8. On the Coupling of Mechanics with Bioelectricity and Its Role in Morphogenesis
Abstract
This chapter is adapted from “Leronni et al. [28], On the coupling of mechanics with bioelectricity and its role in morphogenesis, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 17(167):20200177”.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 9. An Electrochemo-Poromechanical Theory for the Mechanobioelectricity of Cell Clusters
Abstract
This chapter is adapted from “Leronni [11], Modeling the mechanobioelectricity of cell clusters, Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology, 20:535–554”.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 10. Discussion
Abstract
In the following, we compare the small strain electrochemo-mechanical (ECM) model developed in Sects. 8.​2 and 8.​3 with the large strain electrochemo-poromechanical (ECPM) model presented in Sect. 9.​2. Finally, we hint at how the theory of kinematic growth [1] could be plugged into the proposed large strain ECPM model.
Alessandro Leronni
Chapter 11. Concluding Remarks
Abstract
In this thesis, we have presented continuum electrochemo-mechanical (ECM) and electrochemo-poromechanical (ECPM) theories suitable for investigating the behavior of porous materials featuring a solid network immersed in a dilute fluid phase of solvent and ions.
Alessandro Leronni
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Modeling the Electrochemo-poromechanics of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites and Cell Clusters
Author
Alessandro Leronni
Copyright Year
2022
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-92276-4
Print ISBN
978-3-030-92275-7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92276-4

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