Thickness-mode actuation

Mechanical Stimulation Using Thickness-Mode Actuation... 

Figure 21.4 Thickness-mode actuation (top) underlying electrode grid pattern and schematic of basic element (bottom) resulting surface change of acrylic dielectric elastomer with electrodes in grid pattern (Reprinted with permission from Prahlad, H., Pelrine, R., Kornbluh, R. et al. Programmeable surface deformation thickness-mode electroactive polymer actuators and their applications, Proceedings of SPIE, 5759, 102. Copyright (2005) SPIE).

Other applications of thickness mode actuation that have not been fully investigated to date involve shifting pressure points in bedridden patients to prevent bedsores, massaging functionality to prevent thrombosis, and in tactile feedback devices including refreshable Braille devices [2]. 

Tactile Displays Based on Thickness-Mode Actuators. 744... 

Fig. 4 A thickness-mode actuator array (a) voltage off and (b) voltage on (Reprodueed with permission fiom Prahlad et al. 2005)...

Prahlad H, Pelrine R, Kombluh R, von Guggenberg P, Chhokar S, Eckerle J (2005) Programmable surface deformation thickness-mode electroactive polymer actuators and their applications. Proc SPIE 5759 102... 

The pattern on the thickness-mode devices can be adapted in any given application. The electrodes can also be addressed spatially to create a travelling wave along the surface of the entire device. These devices are typically operated under low to moderate actuation strains. They have excellent frequency response characteristics in the range most sensitive to human skin (below 100 Hz). 

Prahlad H, Pelrine R, Kombluh R et al (2005) Programmable surface deformation thickness-mode electroactive polymer actuators and their applications. Proc SPIE 5759 102-113 Price A, Culbertson C (2009) Generation of nonbiased hydrodynamic injections on microfluidic devices using integrated dielectric elastomer actuators. Anal Chem 81(21) 8942-8948 Rosenthal M, Bonwit N, Duncheon C et al (2007) Applications of dielectric elastomer EPAM sensors. Proc SPIE 6524 65241F... 

Weisser M, Menges B, Mittler-Neher S (1999) Refractive index and thickness determination of monolayers by multi mode waveguide coupled surface plasmons. Sensors Actuators B Chem 56 189-197... 

The compression and stretching modes of actuation are mechanically coupled for most elastomers because, at the stresses of interest, the elastomer volume is essentially fixed (the bulk modulus is much higher than the modulus of elasticity T). We can use our electrostatic model to show that the effective compressive stress, p, compressing the film in thickness [13] is... 

Martin SJ, Frye GC, Wessendorf KO (1994) Scaising liquid properties with thickness-shear mode resonators. Sens Actuat A Phys 44 3) 209-218... 

---