Abstract: Vehicle body panels and systems are described. A vehicle body panel may include at least one layer of material defining the vehicle body panel and one or more than one electronic device, where a portion of each electronic device is embedded within one or more than one of the at least one layer of material. Each electronic device may communicate with a control system or a vehicle control unit of the vehicle to support an advanced-feature functionality of the vehicle. At least one electronic device may include a first portion embedded within the one or more than one of the at least one layer of material. The first portion may be couplable to a second portion, not embedded within the material, where the first portion upon being coupled to the second portion communicates with the control system or the vehicle control unit of the vehicle to support the advanced-feature functionality.

Abstract: A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.

Abstract: An artificial muscle actuator that includes a housing, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the housing. The electrode pair includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode each include a metal film. The first electrode includes an insulation bilayer disposed on the metal film of the first electrode in an orientation facing the second electrode. In addition, the insulation bilayer includes an acryl-based polymer layer disposed on the metal film and a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) layer disposed on the acryl-based polymer layer.

Abstract: A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.

Abstract: An artificial muscle that includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region, the electrode pair having a first electrode fixed to a first surface of the housing and a second electrode fixed to a second surface of the housing. The first and second electrodes each have two or more tab portions and two or more bridge portions. Each of the two or more bridge portions interconnects adjacent tab portions and at least one of the first and second electrodes includes a central opening positioned between the two or more tab portions and encircling the expandable fluid region. A dielectric fluid is housed within the housing and the electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated to actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region.

Abstract: Vehicle body panels and systems are described. A vehicle body panel may include at least one layer of material defining the vehicle body panel and one or more than one electronic device, where a portion of each electronic device is embedded within one or more than one of the at least one layer of material. Each electronic device may communicate with a control system or a vehicle control unit of the vehicle to support an advanced-feature functionality of the vehicle. At least one electronic device may include a first portion embedded within the one or more than one of the at least one layer of material. The first portion may be couplable to a second portion, not embedded within the material, where the first portion upon being coupled to the second portion communicates with the control system or the vehicle control unit of the vehicle to support the advanced-feature functionality.

Abstract: A variable shear control energy absorption system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a vehicle frame component and a primary deformable impact absorber located adjacent the vehicle frame component. The vehicle frame component may be a bumper reinforcement member. The system may include a plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers located within the primary deformable impact absorber, each secondary deformable impact chamber including a shear thickening fluid that exhibits an increasing or decreasing viscosity responsive to an impact force. At least one elastic relief chamber is provided in fluid communication with the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers. The elastic relief chamber is configured to temporarily accept the shear thickening fluid from the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers during low force impacts, and to redirect the shear thickening fluid back to the secondary deformable impact chambers after the low impact force recedes.

Abstract: A variable shear control energy absorption system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a vehicle frame component and a primary deformable impact absorber located adjacent the vehicle frame component. The vehicle frame component may be a bumper reinforcement member. The system may include a plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers located within the primary deformable impact absorber, each secondary deformable impact chamber including a shear thickening fluid that exhibits an increasing or decreasing viscosity responsive to an impact force. At least one elastic relief chamber is provided in fluid communication with the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers. The elastic relief chamber is configured to temporarily accept the shear thickening fluid from the plurality of secondary deformable impact chambers during low force impacts, and to redirect the shear thickening fluid back to the secondary deformable impact chambers after the low impact force recedes.