Optimization of a Beam-Type IPMC Actuator Using Insects Swarm Intelligence Methods

In this paper, employing developed models of Ionic polymer metal composites, a cantilever beam made of Nafion is optimized for maximum tip deflection as well as maximum blocking (tip) force using the Min-Max method in a multi-objective discipline. Regarding the optimization procedure, saturation level of hydration, length and thickness of the beam, and applied voltage are considered as design variables. The robust and novel methods of continuous ant colony optimization (ACO_R) and artificial bee colony (ABC), both inspired from collective behavior of ant and bee swarms, are here employed to guarantee finding near-optimal solutions in a continuous nonlinear constrained optimization schedule. Results obtained from several independent runs clearly demonstrate fast convergence with nearly identical results for both methods, conservatively claimed as global optima. In addition, it is shown that the multi-objective approach has ended in a reasonable reduction of tip deflection for a remarkable increase in blocking force.