Abstract Shape memory polymers are smart materials with an ability to recover their permanent shape from a temporary shape upon exposure to various external stimuli. In space applications, shape memory polymers can find their use as deployable devices due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and large deformability. The effect of vacuum environment in space on the deployment of shape memory polymers is an extremely important issue which is yet to be studied. As the energy budget in spacecraft is limited, means to increase the energetic efficiency of deployable devices need to be developed. In this work, shape memory polymer actuators based on carbon resistive heating fibers and epoxy matrix were developed for space applications. Their mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, as well as their deployment kinetics at both ambient and vacuum conditions, were studied. A method for improvement of the deployment energetic efficiency of shape memory polymer actuators, based on aluminum coating for internal radiative heating, was introduced. An innovative technique, which provides motion sensing at the first stage of the shape memory polymer actuators deployment, was demonstrated. This technique uses the resistive heating characteristics of carbon fibers and in situ electrical resistance drop during deployment. Finally, the durability of the shape memory polymers actuators in the space environment was discussed.

中文翻译：

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用于空间应用的环氧基形状记忆复合材料

摘要 形状记忆聚合物是一种智能材料，能够在暴露于各种外部刺激后从临时形状恢复其永久形状。在太空应用中，形状记忆聚合物由于其高强度重量比和大变形能力，可以用作可展开的设备。空间真空环境对形状记忆聚合物部署的影响是一个极其重要的问题，有待研究。由于航天器的能量预算有限，需要开发提高可部署设备能量效​​率的方法。在这项工作中，基于碳电阻加热纤维和环氧树脂基体的形状记忆聚合物致动器被开发用于空间应用。它们的机械、热和电性能，以及它们在环境和真空条件下的展开动力学，进行了研究。介绍了一种提高形状记忆聚合物致动器部署能量效率的方法，该方法基于用于内部辐射加热的铝涂层。展示了一种创新技术，该技术在形状记忆聚合物致动器部署的第一阶段提供运动感应。该技术利用碳纤维的电阻加热特性和部署过程中的原位电阻降。最后，讨论了形状记忆聚合物致动器在空间环境中的耐久性。展示了一种创新技术，该技术在形状记忆聚合物致动器部署的第一阶段提供运动感应。该技术利用碳纤维的电阻加热特性和部署过程中的原位电阻降。最后，讨论了形状记忆聚合物致动器在空间环境中的耐久性。展示了一种创新技术，该技术在形状记忆聚合物致动器部署的第一阶段提供运动感应。该技术利用碳纤维的电阻加热特性和部署过程中的原位电阻降。最后，讨论了形状记忆聚合物致动器在空间环境中的耐久性。