Dielectric elastomer actuators transducers

PeMne, R. and Kornbluh, R. Introduction History of dielectric elastomer actuators in Dielectric Elastomers as Electromechanical Transducers (eds Carpi, F., DeRossi, D., Kornbluh, et oL), Elsevier, Oxford, UK, 2008. 

Keywords Dielectric elastomer Electroactive polymer Bistable electroactive polymers Actuator Transducer Artificial muscle DE EAP BSEP... 

Kornbluh R, Pelrine R, Pei Q, Heydt R, Stanford S, Oh S, Eckerle J (2002) Electroelastomers applications of dielectric elastomer transducers for actuation, generation, and smart structures. Proc SPIE EAP AD 4698 254... 

Fig. 3.13 Effect of electrode type, humidity, maximum operating field and strain on the lifetime of dielectric elastomer transducers a Electrodes distribution of circular high strain actuators operated with different electrodes formulations (3M VHB 4910 film, 50% RH, 300% X 300% prestrain, actuation real strain 30-40% at 5 Hz, Max field 140 MV/min). b Humidity difference in high-fleld lifetimes for six circular actuators, three in open air and three in a dry environment (VHB 4910, 300% x 300% prestrain, IHz, Max field 140 MV/ min), c Electric field average life time versus electric field of high-humidity actuators (VHB 4910, 100% RH, 300% x 300% prestrain, 5% uniaxial strain at 5 Hz), d Strain lifetime of ten actuators with differing strain operated at high humidity (VB 4910, 100% RH, 300% X 300% prestrain, uniaxial strain at 5 Hz)...

Carpi F, DeRossi D, Kombluh R, Pelrine R, Somer-Larsen P (2008) Dielectric elastomers as electromechanical transducers, fundamentals, materials, devices, models and applications of an emerging electroactive polymer technology. Elsevier Press, Amsterdam Chapter 7 Benslimane M, Kiil H-E, Tryson MJ (2010) Electromechanical properties of novel large strain PolyPower film and laminate components for DEAP actuator and sensor applications. Proc SPIE 7642 764231... 

Dielectric elastomer transducers are based on the electromechanical response of an elastomeric dielectric film with comphant electrodes on each surface. These transducers may be actuators, generators, or sensors. In aU cases, the basic stmcture is the same. 

The same transducer structure can serve as either an actuator or a generator, depending on how it is electrically driven. Therefore, the relationship between motion and energy of deformation can be modulated. In other words, the transducer can be a variable impedance device in which stiffness and damping are electrically controllable. Since the same transducer structure can serve as an actuator, generator, sensor or variable impedance device, the transducer can be said to be multifunctional. The use of dielectric elastomers as variable stiffness devices is discussed in detail elsewhere [9]. 

Since the electric impedance and the output of a dielectric elastomer transducer are related to the deformation of the polymer film, it follows that these transducers could also be used to detect strain. For example, a linear actuator could be designed such that film capacitance is directly related to the amount of actuator linear motion. Rosenthal [10] discusses the use of dielectric elastomers as a sensor. 

Actuator Artificial muscle Dielectric elastomer Electroactive polymer Generator Sensor Transducer... 

Dielectric elastomers occupy an important niche in transducer technology. As-field-activated materials, they are fast acting and efficient, and, unlike most field-activated materials, they are capable of extremely large strains. Actuation strains of more than 100 % have been produced (Pelrine et al. 2000). Because a wide variety of elastomer and electrode materials may be used, dielectric elastomer technology can be considered for a wide range of applications, including uses in... 

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