scholarly journals Thermo-Electro-Mechanical Characterization of PDMS-Based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Konrad Katzer ◽  
Anas Kanan ◽  
Sascha Pfeil ◽  
Henriette Grellmann ◽  
Gerald Gerlach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Characterization ◽  
Hysteresis Loops ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Experimental Setup ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Electric Voltage ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Passive Behavior ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

The present contribution aims towards a thermo-electro-mechanical characterization of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). To this end, an experimental setup is proposed in order to evaluate the PDMS-based DEA behavior under the influence of various rates of mechanical loading, different ambient temperatures, and varying values of an applied electric voltage. To obtain mechanical, electro-mechanical and thermo-mechanical experimental data, the passive behavior of the material, as well as the material’s response when electrically activated, was tested. The influence of the solid electrode on the dielectric layer’s surface was also examined. Moreover, this work focuses on the production of such DEA, the experimental setup and the interpretation and evaluation of the obtained mechanical hysteresis loops. Finite element modeling approaches were used in order to model the passive and the electro-mechanically active response of the material. A comparison between experimental and simulation results was performed.

Fabrication and characterization of linear motion dielectric elastomer actuators

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Young Jung ◽  
Nguyen Huu Chuc ◽  
Jung Woo Kim ◽  
Ig Mo Koo ◽  
Kwang Mok Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Linear Motion ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Fabrication And Characterization

scholarly journals Styrenic-Rubber Dielectric Elastomer Actuator with Inherent Stiffness Compensation

Actuators ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
Luca Sarina ◽  
Lorenzo Agostini ◽  
Rocco Vertechy ◽  
Giovanni Berselli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Modulus ◽  
Design Procedure ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Side Length ◽  
Wide Spread ◽  
Mechanical Stiffness ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Mechanical Elements ◽  
First Time

Up to date, Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEA) have been mostly based on either silicone or acrylic elastomers, whereas the potential of DEAs based on inexpensive, wide-spread natural and synthetic rubbers has been scarcely investigated. In this paper, a DEA based on a styrene-based rubber is demonstrated for the first time. Using a Lozenge-Shaped DEA (LS-DEA) layout and following a design procedure previously proposed by the authors, we develop prototypes featuring nearly-zero mechanical stiffness, in spite of the large elastic modulus of styrenic rubber. Stiffness compensation is achieved by simply taking advantage of a biaxial pre-stretching of the rubber DE membrane, with no need for additional stiffness cancellation mechanical elements. In the paper, we present a characterization of the styrene rubber-based LS-DEA in different loading conditions (namely, isopotential, isometric, and isotonic), and we prove that actuation strokes of at least 18% the actuator side length can be achieved, thanks to the proposed stiffness-compensated design.

scholarly journals Monolithic Stacked Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Shintake ◽  
Daiki Ichige ◽  
Ryo Kanno ◽  
Toshiaki Nagai ◽  
Keita Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Microfluidic Channels ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Elastomeric Matrix ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Multiple Electrodes ◽  
Output Force

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are a promising actuator technology for soft robotics. As a configuration of this technology, stacked DEAs afford a muscle-like contraction that is useful to build soft robotic systems. In stacked DEAs, dielectric and electrode layers are alternately stacked. Thus, often a dedicated setup with complicated processes or sometimes laborious manual stacking of the layers is required to fabricate stacked actuators. In this study, we propose a method to monolithically fabricate stacked DEAs without alternately stacking the dielectric and electrode layers. In this method, the actuators are fabricated mainly through two steps: 1) molding of an elastomeric matrix containing free-form microfluidic channels and 2) injection of a liquid conductive material that acts as an electrode. The feasibility of our method is investigated via the fabrication and characterization of simple monolithic DEAs with multiple electrodes (2, 4, and 10). The fabricated actuators are characterized in terms of actuation stroke, output force, and frequency response. In the actuators, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and eutectic gallium–indium (EGaIn) are used for the elastomeric matrix and electrode material, respectively. Microfluidic channels are realized by dissolving a three-dimensional printed part suspended in the elastomeric structure. The experimental results show the successful implementation of the proposed method and the good agreement between the measured data and theoretical predication, validating the feasibility of the proposed method.

Characterization of slide ring materials for dielectric elastomer actuators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Shintake ◽  
Koya Matsuno ◽  
Kazumasa Baba ◽  
Hiromitsu Takeuchi
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Dielectric Strength ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Elongation At Break ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Elastomeric Materials ◽  
Mechanical Performances

Abstract This paper investigates the characteristics of sliding ring materials (SRMs), which are promising elastomeric materials for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Two different types of SRMs with Young's modulus of 0.8 MPa and 3.3 MPa, respectively, are prepared, and their material and mechanical properties and electro-mechanical performances at electric fields of up to 30 V/um are characterized. For comparison, the same tests are also performed on several commercially available elastomers: Elastosil 2030, Ecoflex 00-30, CF19-2186, and VHB 4905. The results reveal that SRMs demonstrate negligible Mullins effect and hysteresis, while their dielectric strength (62.4‒112.4 V/µm) and viscoelasticity (tan⁡δ 0.07‒0.24 at 10 Hz) are comparable or even superior to those of other elastomers. In addition, elongation at break is found to be 163.8‒172.1%. SRMs exhibit excellent electro-mechanical performance; for instance, one of the two types has an actuation force 293.2 mN at 24.9 V/µm and a strain of 5.2% at 22.3 V/µm. These values are the largest or larger than most of the tested elastomers. The high performance of SRMs results from their dielectric constant, which ranges from 10.3‒13.4, leading to an electro-mechanical sensitivity of up to 15.3 MPa-1. These results illustrate SRMs as attractive material options for DEAs.

scholarly journals Design, Manufacturing, and Characterization of Thin, Core-Free, Rolled Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 69
Author(s):  
Julian Kunze ◽  
Johannes Prechtl ◽  
Daniel Bruch ◽  
Bettina Fasolt ◽  
Sophie Nalbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Artificial Muscles ◽  
Hollow Core ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators ◽  
Mass Load ◽  
Silicone Film

In this work, we develop a coreless rolled dielectric elastomer actuator (CORDEA) to be used as artificial muscles in soft robotic structures. The new CORDEA concept is based on a 50 µm silicone film with screen-printed electrodes made of carbon black suspended in polydimethylsiloxane. Two printed silicone films are stacked together and then tightly rolled in a spiral-like structure. Readily available off-the-shelf components are used to implement both electrical and mechanical contacts. A novel manufacturing process is developed to enable the production of rolled actuators without a hollow core, with a focus on simplicity and reliability. In this way, actuator systems with high energy density can be effectively achieved. After presenting the design, an experimental evaluation of the CORDEA electromechanical behavior is performed. Finally, actuator experiments in which the CORDEA is pre-loaded with a mass load and subsequently subject to cycling voltage are illustrated, and the resulting performance is discussed.

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