Predicting simulation of flow induced by IPMC oscillation in fluid environment

This work deals with numerical modeling of fluid-structure interactions of a strip-shaped IPMC actuation in an aqueous environment. We consider an electro-chemo-mechanical model to predict the behavior of a strip-shaped IPMC actuation. The flow is predicted using the Navier-Stokes equations. The model is implemented and solved using the finite-element software COMSOL Multiphysics. Numerical simulations of the hydrodynamics induced by the strip-shaped IPMC are carried out for the purpose of novel propulsive actuators that interact with vortex flows to absorb their energy and release it at appropriate phase. The simulation results might be used to determine the effectiveness and application of IPMCs for micro-propulsion mechanisms, IPMC cilia-like structures used for flow actuation and mixing applications.