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| Detailed information |
| Original study plan |
Bachelor's programme Technical Physics 2025W |
| Learning Outcomes |
Competences |
| Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to describe the fundamental physical principles and concepts of elastomers, particularly in relation to the topics listed below. They can explain and apply mathematical models that describe the behavior of elastomers and are familiar with modern practical applications of elastomers. They are able critically engage with the selected research topics and can formulate open questions in the fields of soft matter and elastomer actuators.
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| Skills |
Knowledge |
Upon completing the course, students will possess the following skills. They are able to
- recall and explain the key models and their parameters used to describe elastomers (k1/k2);
- predict the essential practical properties of rubber-like materials based on general principles and using their given characteristics (k3);
- analyze the physical mechanisms of representative, soft-matter-based design setups, as well as evaluate and assess their functionality (k4/k5);
- critically discuss and contextualize central problems and challenges in the use of modern DEA and ZEAP setups (k5).
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During the course, students will acquire knowledge in the following areas and concepts of soft matter physics:
- polymer structure: bonds, isomers, chain flexibility, states, types, architectures;
- size, shape and probability distribution of the polymer chain, excluded volume;
- energy- and entropy-elastic materials;
- finite deformation of elastomers, non-Gaussian chains and hyperelastic models;
- viscoelasticity and its model descriptions;
- rubber balloon and elastocaloric cooling;
- dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) and pull-in instability;
- electroactive zipping actuators (ZEAP);
- force dissipation and conservation in zipping actuators.
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| Criteria for evaluation |
written and, if necessary, oral exam
The use of equations from the lecture notes is permitted. Similar example problems with solutions will be provided as additional material.
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| Methods |
The first lectures cover fundamental concepts that form the basis for the more specialized topics presented in the later lectures, which are oriented toward current research. Intuitive and illustrative derivations are often used, while exact formulas are presented with references to the scientific literature. Students can independently work through some of the additional materials at home and ask clarifying questions during or after the lectures.
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| Language |
English |
| Study material |
will be announced at the first session of the course
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| Changing subject? |
No |
| Further information |
The course is suitable for BSc and MSc students and will be conducted in English upon request.
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