Combination of dielectric elastomer membrane actuators with dielectric elastomer switches to create an autonomous elastomer-based platform

Publikation: Beitrag in Buch/Konferenzbericht/Sammelband/GutachtenBeitrag in KonferenzbandBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

New approaches are needed to enhance intelligence in microsystems. Elastomer-based systems offer a wide range of possibilities in this regard when the different properties of dielectric elastomer (DE) transducers are skillfully combined. Therefore, an inflatable circular shaped DE-membrane was chosen as geometry, because studies have shown a significant potential for large displacement. Silicone was selected as the material because of its significant advantages, such as fast response times and low hysteresis. Unfortunately, it does not exhibit snap-through behavior, which was shown by using the hyperelastic Gent material model. Various thicknesses of the silicone layer were analyzed with respect to their stress-strain curves, in order to find a suitable operating range with large flatness in the stress-strain curve. For electrostatic activation, two electrodes were applied on top and bottom of the membranes. This results in a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA), which can change the height of the spherical inflated membrane when a sufficient voltage is applied. For including intrinsic intelligence, dielectric elastomer switches (DES) were added. For both, DEA and DES, the stiffening effect of the electrodes and DES structures were determined. This results in a promising composite configuration of a DEA with a layer thickness of 50 µm and a DES on top of a 20 µm insulation layer. With this combined base unit, the DEA achieved a displacement of 3 mm at an electric field of 80 V/µm, and the DES achieved a change in resistance of three orders of magnitude over a range of 1.3 mm. This combined base unit serves as the foundation for building an autonomous operating platform in the future.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
TitelElectroactive Polymer Actuators, Sensors, and Devices, EAPAD 2026
Redakteure/-innenKentaro Takagi, John D. W. Madden, Cedric Plesse, Stefan S. Seelecke, Anne Ladegaard Skov
Herausgeber (Verlag)SPIE - The international society for optics and photonics
Seitenumfang14
ISBN (elektronisch)9781510698314
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 17 Apr. 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Publikationsreihe

ReiheProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Band13945
ISSN0277-786X

Konferenz

Titel2026 Electroactive Polymer Actuators, Sensors, and Devices
KurztitelEAPAD 2026
Beschreibungheld at SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation 2026
Dauer16 - 18 März 2026
OrtSheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
StadtVancouver
LandKanada

Externe IDs

Scopus 105038437239
ORCID /0000-0002-8588-9755/work/220700178

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • autonomous elastomer-based platform, Balloon-shaped membrane, dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA), dielectric elastomer switch (DES), Gent material model