A membrane of a dielectric elastomer deforms when voltage is applied through its thickness. The achievable voltage-induced deformation strongly affected by how mechanical loads are applied. Large has been demonstrated for under equal-biaxial forces, but only small observed uniaxial force. This difference interpreted here theoretically. theory also predicts that, the constrained in one direction, thickness can cause it to deform substantially other direction. Experiments performed on...

Abstract Soft elastomers, mostly silicones and acrylics, are interesting candidates as dielectric materials in electroactive polymer actuator technology. Generally, characteristics like large strain, high stress, energy density, good efficiency response speed required for applications. However, some of these material properties may be contradictory. For this reason a comparison between Dow Corning silicone 3M acrylic elastomers was made based on set six electromechanical tests The elastomer...

The first arm wrestling match between a human and robotic driven by electroactive polymers (EAP) was held at the EAPAD conference in 2005. primary objective to demonstrate potential of EAP actuator technology for applications field robotics bioengineering. Swiss Federal Laboratories Materials Testing Research (Empa) one three organizations participating this competition. robot presented Empa system rolled dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators. Based on calculated stress condition actuator, low...

Dielectric elastomer actuators have been investigated for applications in the field of pneumatic automation technology. We developed different valve designs with stacked dielectric and integrated high voltage converters. The were made using VHB-4910 material a stacker machine automated fabrication cylindrical actuators. Typical characteristics valves such as flow rate, power consumption dynamic behaviour are presented. For construction force stroke parameters actuator measured. Further,...

Abstract Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are characterized by their ability to respond external electric stimulation displaying a significant shape or size displacement. Actuators, based on dielectric elastomers exhibiting low elastic stiffness and high constants, can produce strain levels from 10 380 %. Typically, acrylic silicone materials used as layer in such actuators. Their potential mimic the movement of animals, insects even human body parts increasingly interest for researchers field...

Among the electronic polymers EAPs especially dielectric elastomers are functional materials that have promising potential as muscle-like actuators due to their inherent compliancy and good overall performance. The combination of huge active deformations, high energy densities, efficiencies fast response is unique elastomers. Furthermore, they lightweight, a simple structure can be easily tailored various applications. Up now most scientific research work has been focused on planar expanding...

This work reports on the investigation of VHB 4910 acrylic elastomer insulating and dielectric properties. material is widely exploited for realization actuators with large deformations, (DEA), belongs to group so-called electroactive polymers (EAP). Extensive investigations concerning its mechanical properties are available in literature while electric behavior at working conditions has not received same level attention. In this work, relative permittivity volume resistivity have been...

Micrometer‐thin polymer films are often prepared using spin coating. In applications such as low‐voltage dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), however, nanometer‐thin layers required. this paper, it is demonstrated that alternating current electrospray deposition allows for the fabrication of high‐quality polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films. The growth PDMS with an average molecular weight 6000 g mol −1 at rates 0.02–5.54 nm s was in situ monitored by means spectroscopic ellipsometry. Cauchy...

Silicone and acrylic elastomers have received increased attention as dielectric electroactive polymer (EAP) materials for actuator technology. The goal of this work was to develop characterize a new class silicones (DC3481) compare it with elastomers. influence various types hardeners, hardener concentration, prestrain high organic fillers studied by mechanical, electrical electromechanical experiments. Furthermore the temperature dependence viscoelastic properties were investigated. results...

The electromechanical performance of planar dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators is predicted by applying a novel model for the mechanical behavior visco-hyperelastic films such as VHB 4910 (manufactured 3M). electrostatic pressure was introduced in film thickness direction to adapt DE actuators. Moreover, actuator embedded an appropriate electrical supply circuit account electrodynamic effects.

Abstract The VHB 4910 acrylic elastomer, already exhibiting great efficacy at room temperature, was modified to enhance its actuation performance via two approaches. To eliminate the requirement of high pre‐strain, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) based on poly(trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) were formed in original network. Furthermore, plasticizing additives used reduce glass transition broaden operating temperature range, lower elastic modulus (hence electric field required...

Dielectric elastomers (DE's) offer promising applications as soft and light-weight electromechanical actuators. It is known that beside the dielectric material, electrode properties are of particular importance regarding DE performance. Therefore, in recent years various studies have focused on optimization terms conductivity, stretchability reliability. However, less attention was given to efficient processing deposition methods. In present study, digital inkjet printing used deposit highly...

Miniature spring roll dielectric elastomer actuators for a novel kinematic-free force feedback concept were manufactured and experimentally characterized. The exhibited maximum blocking of 7.2 <i>N</i> displacement 5 <i>mm</i>. theoretical considerations based on the material's incompressibility discussed in order to estimate actuator behavior under blocked-strain activation free-strain activation. One prototype was built demonstration proposed concept.

New materials have come into focus lately for use as dielectric membranes in elastomer actuators. They are often characterized under differing conditions and their activation behaviour has mostly been investigated on lab-scale samples. This paper aims to compare the of two promising new a macroscale device. The reference material is VHB 4910 (by 3M), which compared first with corrugated silicone silver electrodes PolyPower) second interpenetrating polymer network-modified acrylic....

In this paper, we present a new portable force feedback device for surgery simulations. Dielectric elastomer spring roll linear actua tors were manufactured, and characterized via pas sive tensile tests active isometric tests. The actuators exhibited maximum of 7.2 N, elongation 31%. Due to the high driving voltage, electrical safety issues also considered. results showed that sufficient can be provided user. Two prototypes built, which practi cally functionalities actuator proposed concept...

The rolled actuator represents a design where the pre-stretched EAP film is wrapped many times around spring core in order to form multilayer system with unidirectional actuation. freestanding configuration enables use of DE for muscle like linear actuators broad application potential. stress state pre-strained acrylic and required stiff can cause several serious problems concerning lifetime, size efficiency actuator. In obtain an acceptable specific performance lifetime pre-stretching has...

The electromechanical performance of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPN) in which one elastomer network is under high tension balanced by compression the second network, were investigated. Uniaxial stress relaxation analysis confirmed significant decrease viscoelasticity comparison with 3M VHB films, primary component IPN films. In dynamic mechanical analysis, composite showed a higher efficiency, suggesting delayed acrylic chains presence formation. This improvement was found to be...

In this paper, we present a design of wearable equipment that helps with the perception environment for blind and visually impaired people in indoor outdoor mobility navigation. Our prototype can detect identify traffic situations such as street crossings, lamps, cars, cyclists, other low high obstacles. The detection takes place real time based on input data sensors optical cameras, user is aided audio signals.

In this paper, we present a new portable force feedback device for surgery simulations. Dielectric elastomer spring roll linear actua tors were manufactured, and characterized via pas sive tensile tests active isometric tests. The actuators exhibited maximum of 7.2 N, elongation 31%. Due to the high driving voltage, electrical safety issues also considered. results showed that sufficient can be provided user. Two prototypes built, which practi cally functionalities actuator proposed concept...

This paper is concerned with shell-like actuators based on soft dielectric EAPs, which can actively execute out-of-plane displacements and thus take specific shapes. The structure of the consists an array identical segments, where pre-strained films are arranged in agonist–antagonist configuration.