Preprint / Version 1

Compliant Polymer Origami Bellows in Cryogenics

##article.authors##

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31224/osf.io/7jdvn

Keywords:

Bellows, BoPET, Compliant Mechanisms, Cryogenics, Origami, Polymers

Abstract

Mechanical applications for polymers at cryogenic temperatures are extremely limited due to decreased atomic mobility and ductility, resulting from glass transitions above the cryogenic regime (<120 K). As such, polymeric materials are known for cracking and low fatigue life. Early studies on the twist-flex behavior of polymer thin films in liquid nitrogen resulted in complete shattering of films after a few cycles. To improve upon this failure behavior, we fabricated thin-film origami bellows with Yoshimura and Kresling geometries to primarily restrict strain to below the elastic limit. We found the resulting bellows survived 100 full compression and extension cycles in liquid nitrogen. No tears or pinholes were detected in the bellows. These results indicate that restricting the strain modes in thin-film polymers via origami structures could lead to a new class of cryogenic technologies useful for liquid storage bladders, expandable seals, positive displacement fluid pumps, and flexible electronics.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Posted

2020-07-06