1 research outputs found
Electroresponsive Aqueous Silk Protein As “Smart” Mechanical Damping Fluid
Here we demonstrate the effectiveness
of an electroresponsive aqueous silk protein polymer as a smart mechanical
damping fluid. The aqueous polymer solution is liquid under ambient
conditions, but is reversibly converted into a gel once subjected
to an electric current, thereby increasing or decreasing in viscosity.
This nontoxic, biodegradable, reversible, edible fluid also bonds
to device surfaces and is demonstrated to reduce friction and provide
striking wear protection. The friction and mechanical damping coefficients
are shown to modulate with electric field exposure time and/or intensity.
Damping coefficient can be modulated electrically, and then preserved
without continued power for longer time scales than conventional “smart”
fluid dampers