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Jinsong Leng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator: Analysis, experiment and application
    Extreme Mechanics Letters, 2021
    Co-Authors: Guo Yaguang, Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Abstract As a typical electroactive polymer, Dielectric Elastomer can be used in the research of actuators, sensors, and soft robots. The cone actuator, as a representative Dielectric Elastomer actuator, suffers from the limitation of deformation range. In this work, an antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator with large deformation range is exhibited. A theoretical model is derived to design geometric parameters and explain the deformation mechanism of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator. Comparison between theoretical and experimental results shows that the theoretical model is suitable for the prediction of the performance of the actuator. Inspired by the human heart, the pump is developed by the actuator, and its performance is systematically investigated through experiments. It is hoped that this work can play a guiding role in the development and application of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator.

  • Parameters design of the Dielectric Elastomer spring-roll bending actuator (Conference Presentation)
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomers are novel soft smart material that could deform sustainably when subjected to external electric field. That makes Dielectric Elastomers promising materials for actuators. In this paper, a spring-roll actuator that would bend when a high voltage is applied was fabricated based on Dielectric Elastomer. Using such actuators as active parts, the flexible grippers and inchworm-inspired crawling robots were manufactured, which demonstrated some examples of applications in soft robotics. To guide the parameters design of Dielectric Elastomer based spring-roll bending actuators, the theoretical model of such actuators was established based on thermodynamic theories. The initial deformation and electrical induced bending angle of actuators were formulated. The failure of actuators was also analyzed considering some typical failure modes like electromechanical instability, electrical breakdown, loss of tension and maximum tolerant stretch. Thus the allowable region of actuators was determined. Then the bending angle-voltage relations and failure voltages of actuators with different parameters, including stretches of the Dielectric Elastomer film, number of active layers, and dimensions of spring, were investigated. The influences of each parameter on the actuator performances were discussed, providing meaningful guidance to the optical design of the spring-roll bending actuators.

  • Thermodynamics and instability of Dielectric Elastomer (Conference Presentation)
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2017, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer is a kind of typical soft active material. It can deform obviously when subjected to an external voltage. When a Dielectric Elastomer with randomly oriented dipoles is subject to an electric field, the dipoles will rotate to and align with the electric field. The polarization of the Dielectric Elastomer may be saturated when the voltage is high enough. When subjected to a mechanical force, the end-to-end distance of each polymer chain, which has a finite contour length, will approach the finite value, reaching a limiting stretch. On approaching the limiting stretch, the Elastomer stiffens steeply. Here, we develop a thermodynamic constitutive model of Dielectric Elastomers undergoing polarization saturation and strain-stiffening, and then investigate the stability (electromechanical stability, snap-through stability) and voltage induced deformation of Dielectric Elastomers. Analytical solution has been obtained and it reveals the marked influence of the extension limit and polarization saturation limit on its instability. The developed thermodynamic constitutive model and simulation results would be helpful in future to the research of Dielectric Elastomer based high-performance transducers.

  • Improvement on output torque of Dielectric Elastomer minimum energy structures
    Applied Physics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jian-wen Zhao, Junyang Niu, David Mccoul, Liwu Liu, Yong Ge, Qibing Pei, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC. The Dielectric Elastomer minimum energy structure (DEMES) can realize large angular deformations by a small voltage-induced strain of the Dielectric Elastomer (DE), so it is a suitable candidate to make a rotary joint for a soft robot. However, the payload capacity of a DEMES joint is small compared with other types of Dielectric Elastomer actuators. Stacking layers of pre-strained DE thin films can increase the output torque of DEMES, but greater driving power will be needed, limiting application in mobile or flying soft robots. In this paper, based on static analysis, a design of DEMES is proposed that has larger torque than the traditional design with the same number of layers of Dielectric Elastomer. As an experimental example, the torque of the film with the improved design is larger than 1.7 times that of the traditional design. Experiments validate the theoretical analysis and demonstrate the improvement of DEMES output torque.

  • Stability of Dielectric Elastomer/carbon nanotube composites coupling electrostriction and polarization
    Composites Part B: Engineering, 2015
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Zhen Zhang, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Experiments are conducted to test the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites adulterated with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The results show that the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites can be significantly improved by adding MWCNT conductive particles. A thermodynamic model is presented to investigate the stability of MWCNT particle-doped Dielectric Elastomer composites. The theoretical investigation proves that the polarization of MWCNT, the electrostriction deformation and material constants of the Elastomer significantly affect the stability of the thermodynamic system. The numerical analysis shows that comparing to ideal Dielectric Elastomer, the stability of Dielectric Elastomer composites filled with MWCNT coupling between electrostriction and polarization can be significantly enhanced.

Liwu Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator: Analysis, experiment and application
    Extreme Mechanics Letters, 2021
    Co-Authors: Guo Yaguang, Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Abstract As a typical electroactive polymer, Dielectric Elastomer can be used in the research of actuators, sensors, and soft robots. The cone actuator, as a representative Dielectric Elastomer actuator, suffers from the limitation of deformation range. In this work, an antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator with large deformation range is exhibited. A theoretical model is derived to design geometric parameters and explain the deformation mechanism of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator. Comparison between theoretical and experimental results shows that the theoretical model is suitable for the prediction of the performance of the actuator. Inspired by the human heart, the pump is developed by the actuator, and its performance is systematically investigated through experiments. It is hoped that this work can play a guiding role in the development and application of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator.

  • Parameters design of the Dielectric Elastomer spring-roll bending actuator (Conference Presentation)
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomers are novel soft smart material that could deform sustainably when subjected to external electric field. That makes Dielectric Elastomers promising materials for actuators. In this paper, a spring-roll actuator that would bend when a high voltage is applied was fabricated based on Dielectric Elastomer. Using such actuators as active parts, the flexible grippers and inchworm-inspired crawling robots were manufactured, which demonstrated some examples of applications in soft robotics. To guide the parameters design of Dielectric Elastomer based spring-roll bending actuators, the theoretical model of such actuators was established based on thermodynamic theories. The initial deformation and electrical induced bending angle of actuators were formulated. The failure of actuators was also analyzed considering some typical failure modes like electromechanical instability, electrical breakdown, loss of tension and maximum tolerant stretch. Thus the allowable region of actuators was determined. Then the bending angle-voltage relations and failure voltages of actuators with different parameters, including stretches of the Dielectric Elastomer film, number of active layers, and dimensions of spring, were investigated. The influences of each parameter on the actuator performances were discussed, providing meaningful guidance to the optical design of the spring-roll bending actuators.

  • Thermodynamics and instability of Dielectric Elastomer (Conference Presentation)
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2017, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer is a kind of typical soft active material. It can deform obviously when subjected to an external voltage. When a Dielectric Elastomer with randomly oriented dipoles is subject to an electric field, the dipoles will rotate to and align with the electric field. The polarization of the Dielectric Elastomer may be saturated when the voltage is high enough. When subjected to a mechanical force, the end-to-end distance of each polymer chain, which has a finite contour length, will approach the finite value, reaching a limiting stretch. On approaching the limiting stretch, the Elastomer stiffens steeply. Here, we develop a thermodynamic constitutive model of Dielectric Elastomers undergoing polarization saturation and strain-stiffening, and then investigate the stability (electromechanical stability, snap-through stability) and voltage induced deformation of Dielectric Elastomers. Analytical solution has been obtained and it reveals the marked influence of the extension limit and polarization saturation limit on its instability. The developed thermodynamic constitutive model and simulation results would be helpful in future to the research of Dielectric Elastomer based high-performance transducers.

  • Improvement on output torque of Dielectric Elastomer minimum energy structures
    Applied Physics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Jian-wen Zhao, Junyang Niu, David Mccoul, Liwu Liu, Yong Ge, Qibing Pei, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC. The Dielectric Elastomer minimum energy structure (DEMES) can realize large angular deformations by a small voltage-induced strain of the Dielectric Elastomer (DE), so it is a suitable candidate to make a rotary joint for a soft robot. However, the payload capacity of a DEMES joint is small compared with other types of Dielectric Elastomer actuators. Stacking layers of pre-strained DE thin films can increase the output torque of DEMES, but greater driving power will be needed, limiting application in mobile or flying soft robots. In this paper, based on static analysis, a design of DEMES is proposed that has larger torque than the traditional design with the same number of layers of Dielectric Elastomer. As an experimental example, the torque of the film with the improved design is larger than 1.7 times that of the traditional design. Experiments validate the theoretical analysis and demonstrate the improvement of DEMES output torque.

  • Stability of Dielectric Elastomer/carbon nanotube composites coupling electrostriction and polarization
    Composites Part B: Engineering, 2015
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Zhen Zhang, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Experiments are conducted to test the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites adulterated with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The results show that the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites can be significantly improved by adding MWCNT conductive particles. A thermodynamic model is presented to investigate the stability of MWCNT particle-doped Dielectric Elastomer composites. The theoretical investigation proves that the polarization of MWCNT, the electrostriction deformation and material constants of the Elastomer significantly affect the stability of the thermodynamic system. The numerical analysis shows that comparing to ideal Dielectric Elastomer, the stability of Dielectric Elastomer composites filled with MWCNT coupling between electrostriction and polarization can be significantly enhanced.

Yanju Liu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator: Analysis, experiment and application
    Extreme Mechanics Letters, 2021
    Co-Authors: Guo Yaguang, Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Abstract As a typical electroactive polymer, Dielectric Elastomer can be used in the research of actuators, sensors, and soft robots. The cone actuator, as a representative Dielectric Elastomer actuator, suffers from the limitation of deformation range. In this work, an antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator with large deformation range is exhibited. A theoretical model is derived to design geometric parameters and explain the deformation mechanism of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator. Comparison between theoretical and experimental results shows that the theoretical model is suitable for the prediction of the performance of the actuator. Inspired by the human heart, the pump is developed by the actuator, and its performance is systematically investigated through experiments. It is hoped that this work can play a guiding role in the development and application of the antagonistic cone Dielectric Elastomer actuator.

  • Parameters design of the Dielectric Elastomer spring-roll bending actuator (Conference Presentation)
    Proceedings of SPIE, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomers are novel soft smart material that could deform sustainably when subjected to external electric field. That makes Dielectric Elastomers promising materials for actuators. In this paper, a spring-roll actuator that would bend when a high voltage is applied was fabricated based on Dielectric Elastomer. Using such actuators as active parts, the flexible grippers and inchworm-inspired crawling robots were manufactured, which demonstrated some examples of applications in soft robotics. To guide the parameters design of Dielectric Elastomer based spring-roll bending actuators, the theoretical model of such actuators was established based on thermodynamic theories. The initial deformation and electrical induced bending angle of actuators were formulated. The failure of actuators was also analyzed considering some typical failure modes like electromechanical instability, electrical breakdown, loss of tension and maximum tolerant stretch. Thus the allowable region of actuators was determined. Then the bending angle-voltage relations and failure voltages of actuators with different parameters, including stretches of the Dielectric Elastomer film, number of active layers, and dimensions of spring, were investigated. The influences of each parameter on the actuator performances were discussed, providing meaningful guidance to the optical design of the spring-roll bending actuators.

  • Thermodynamics and instability of Dielectric Elastomer (Conference Presentation)
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2017, 2017
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer is a kind of typical soft active material. It can deform obviously when subjected to an external voltage. When a Dielectric Elastomer with randomly oriented dipoles is subject to an electric field, the dipoles will rotate to and align with the electric field. The polarization of the Dielectric Elastomer may be saturated when the voltage is high enough. When subjected to a mechanical force, the end-to-end distance of each polymer chain, which has a finite contour length, will approach the finite value, reaching a limiting stretch. On approaching the limiting stretch, the Elastomer stiffens steeply. Here, we develop a thermodynamic constitutive model of Dielectric Elastomers undergoing polarization saturation and strain-stiffening, and then investigate the stability (electromechanical stability, snap-through stability) and voltage induced deformation of Dielectric Elastomers. Analytical solution has been obtained and it reveals the marked influence of the extension limit and polarization saturation limit on its instability. The developed thermodynamic constitutive model and simulation results would be helpful in future to the research of Dielectric Elastomer based high-performance transducers.

  • Stability of Dielectric Elastomer/carbon nanotube composites coupling electrostriction and polarization
    Composites Part B: Engineering, 2015
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Zhen Zhang, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Experiments are conducted to test the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites adulterated with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). The results show that the permittivity of Dielectric Elastomer composites can be significantly improved by adding MWCNT conductive particles. A thermodynamic model is presented to investigate the stability of MWCNT particle-doped Dielectric Elastomer composites. The theoretical investigation proves that the polarization of MWCNT, the electrostriction deformation and material constants of the Elastomer significantly affect the stability of the thermodynamic system. The numerical analysis shows that comparing to ideal Dielectric Elastomer, the stability of Dielectric Elastomer composites filled with MWCNT coupling between electrostriction and polarization can be significantly enhanced.

  • Dielectric Elastomer bending actuator: experiment and theoretical analysis
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014, 2014
    Co-Authors: Liwu Liu, Yanju Liu, Jinsong Leng
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer is a kind of smart soft material that has many advantages such as large deformation, fast response, light weight and easy synthesis. Subject to a high voltage, Dielectric Elastomer film will deform sustainably. These features make Dielectric Elastomer a suitable material for actuators. This paper discussed a spring-roll bending actuator of Dielectric Elastomer. An actuator based on Dielectric Elastomer that could bend when applied a high voltage was fabricated. Based on thermodynamics theories, a theoretical model of Dielectric Elastomer bending actuator was established and the initial deformation and bending deformation of bending actuator was formulated. Most parameters used in formulas could be obtained from fabrication process or test data and theoretical prediction with these parameters explained the experimental phenomena well. Also, the allowable area of bending actuator is determined considering several failure models including electromechanical instability, electrical breakdown and tensile rupture.

Jian Zhu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Modeling and control of a Dielectric Elastomer actuator
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 2016
    Co-Authors: Ujjaval Gupta, Jian Zhu
    Abstract:

    The emerging field of soft robotics offers the prospect of applying soft actuators as artificial muscles in the robots, replacing traditional actuators based on hard materials, such as electric motors, piezoceramic actuators, etc. Dielectric Elastomers are one class of soft actuators, which can deform in response to voltage and can resemble biological muscles in the aspects of large deformation, high energy density and fast response. Recent research into Dielectric Elastomers has mainly focused on issues regarding mechanics, physics, material designs and mechanical designs, whereas less importance is given to the control of these soft actuators. Strong nonlinearities due to large deformation and electromechanical coupling make control of the Dielectric Elastomer actuators challenging. This paper investigates feed-forward control of a Dielectric Elastomer actuator by using a nonlinear dynamic model. The material and physical parameters in the model are identified by quasi-static and dynamic experiments. A feed-forward controller is developed based on this nonlinear dynamic model. Experimental evidence shows that this controller can control the soft actuator to track the desired trajectories effectively. The present study confirms that Dielectric Elastomer actuators are capable of being precisely controlled with the nonlinear dynamic model despite the presence of material nonlinearity and electromechanical coupling. It is expected that the reported results can promote the applications of Dielectric Elastomer actuators to soft robots or biomimetic robots.

  • Dielectric Elastomer actuators for facial expression
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 2016
    Co-Authors: Yuzhe Wang, Jian Zhu
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer actuators have the advantage of mimicking the salient feature of life: movements in response to stimuli. In this paper we explore application of Dielectric Elastomer actuators to artificial muscles. These artificial muscles can mimic natural masseter to control jaw movements, which are key components in facial expressions especially during talking and singing activities. This paper investigates optimal design of the Dielectric Elastomer actuator. It is found that the actuator with embedded plastic fibers can avert electromechanical instability and can greatly improve its actuation. Two actuators are then installed in a robotic skull to drive jaw movements, mimicking the masseters in a human jaw. Experiments show that the maximum vertical displacement of the robotic jaw, driven by artificial muscles, is comparable to that of the natural human jaw during speech activities. Theoretical simulations are conducted to analyze the performance of the actuator, which is quantitatively consistent with the experimental observations.

  • A Soft Jellyfish Robot Driven by a Dielectric Elastomer Actuator
    IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters, 2016
    Co-Authors: Hareesh Godaba, Jisen Li, Yuzhe Wang, Jian Zhu
    Abstract:

    Although Dielectric Elastomers have been extensively studied recently, to date there has been little research into appli- cation of Dielectric Elastomer actuators to undersea robots. This letter focuses on development of a jellyfish robot using a dielec- tric Elastomer actuator, which exhibits muscle-like properties including large deformation and high energy density. We carry out experiments to test the actuator’s deformation and force. Theoretical simulations are conducted to analyze the performance of the actuator, which are qualitatively consistent with the experi- ments. The preliminary studies show that this jellyfish robot based on Dielectric Elastomer technology can move effectively in water. The robot also exhibits fast response and high capacity of payload (compared to its self-weight).

  • Tunable force/displacement of a vibration shaker driven by a Dielectric Elastomer actuator
    Extreme Mechanics Letters, 2015
    Co-Authors: Ujjaval Gupta, Zijie Zhao, Hareesh Godaba, Chee-kong Chui, Jian Zhu
    Abstract:

    Recently Dielectric Elastomer actuators have been explored for applications to haptic feedback. The force/displacement of the vibration shaker driven by the Dielectric Elastomer actuator will determine the user's tactile sensation. In this paper, we investigate how to tune the output force/displacement induced by a Dielectric Elastomer actuator. The Dielectric Elastomer made of natural rubber-Oppo band, Singapore-is employed in the experiments and can exhibit large amplitude of oscillation. The effect of damping is taken into account in modelling the system, which may lead to disappearance of the superharmonic and subharmonic response. The media, which connect the vibration shaker and the user, are found to play an important role in influencing the output force/displacement. Both theory and experiments show that as the stiffness of the media increases, the output force of the vibration shaker increases, while the output displacement decreases. We hope that the current analyses can improve the understanding of dynamic behaviour of Dielectric Elastomers and enhance their applications to haptic feedback.

  • Giant voltage-induced deformation of a Dielectric Elastomer under a constant pressure
    Applied Physics Letters, 2014
    Co-Authors: Hareesh Godaba, Zhi-qian Zhang, Choon Chiang Foo, Boo Cheong Khoo, Jian Zhu
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer actuators coupled with liquid have recently been developed as soft pumps, soft lenses, Braille displays, etc. In this paper, we investigate the performance of a Dielectric Elastomer actuator, which is coupled with water. The experiments demonstrate that the membrane of a Dielectric Elastomer can achieve a giant voltage-induced area strain of 1165%, when subject to a constant pressure. Both theory and experiment show that the pressure plays an important role in determining the electromechanical behaviour. The experiments also suggest that the Dielectric Elastomer actuators, when coupled with liquid, may suffer mechanical instability and collapse after a large amount of liquid is enclosed by the membrane. This failure mode needs to be taken into account in designing soft actuators.

Zhigang Suo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Stretchable and transparent hydrogels as soft conductors for Dielectric Elastomer actuators
    Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, 2014
    Co-Authors: Baohong Chen, Yong Mei Chen, Jeong Yun Sun, Jinxiong Zhou, Feng Xiang, Yuanyuan Bai, Hong Wang, Zhigang Suo
    Abstract:

    A soft ionic conductor can serve as an artificial nerve in an artificial muscle. A polyacrylamide hydrogel is synthesized containing a hygroscopic salt, lithium chloride. Two layers of the hydrogel are used as ionic conductors to sandwich a Dielectric Elastomer and fabricate a highly stretchable and transparent actuator. When the two layers of the hydrogels are subject to a voltage, the actuator reduces its thickness and expands. An areal strain of 134% is demonstrated. The voltage-strain curves are calculated by using a model that accounts for the elastic constraint of the hydrogel and the inhomogeneous deformation of the actuator. For actuators fabricated with the hydrogel of various thicknesses and with the Dielectric Elastomer of various prestretches, excellent agreements are found between experimental data and theoretical predictions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  • Dielectric Elastomer actuators with Elastomeric electrodes
    Applied Physics Letters, 2012
    Co-Authors: Michael Bozlar, Choon Chiang Foo, Zhigang Suo, Jian Zhu, Christian Punckt, Sibel Korkut, Ilhan A. Aksay
    Abstract:

    For many applications of Dielectric Elastomer actuators, it is desirable to replace the carbon-grease electrodes with stretchable, solid-state electrodes. Here, we attach thin layers of a conducting silicone Elastomer to prestrained films of an acrylic Dielectric Elastomer and achieve voltage-actuated areal strains over 70%. The influence of the stiffness of the electrodes and the prestrain of the Dielectric films is studied experimentally and theoretically.

  • computational model of hydrostatically coupled Dielectric Elastomer actuators
    Journal of Applied Mechanics, 2012
    Co-Authors: Huiming Wang, Federico Carpi, Shengqiang Cai, Zhigang Suo
    Abstract:

    A hydrostatically coupled Dielectric Elastomer (HCDE) actuator consists of two membranes of a Dielectric Elastomer, clamped with rigid circular rings. Confined between the membranes is a fixed volume of a fluid, which couples the movements of the two membranes when a voltage or a force is applied. This paper presents a computational model of the actuator, assuming that the membranes are neo-Hookean, capable of large and axisymmetric deformation. The voltage-induced deformation is described by the model of ideal Dielectric Elastomer. The force is applied by pressing a rigid flat punch onto one of the membranes over an area of contact. The computational predictions agree well with experimental data. The model can be used to explore nonlinear behavior of the HCDE actuators. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005885]

  • Modeling guided design of Dielectric Elastomer generators and actuators
    Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, 2012
    Co-Authors: Christoph Keplinger, Zhigang Suo, Rainer Kaltseis, Siegfried Bauer, Richard Baumgartner, Wei Yang
    Abstract:

    Mechanical energy and electrical energy can be converted to each other by using a Dielectric Elastomer transducer. Large voltage-induced deformation has been a major challenge in the practical applications. The voltage-induced deformation of Dielectric Elastomer is restricted by electromechanical instability (EMI) and electric breakdown. We study the loading path effect of Dielectric Elastomer and introduce various methods to achieve giant deformation in Dielectric Elastomer and demonstrate the principles of operation in experiments. We use a computational model to analyze the operation of DE generators and actuators to guide the experiment. In actuator mode, we get three designing parameters to vary the actuation response of the device, and realize giant deformation with appropriate parameter group. In the generator mode, energy flows in a device with inhomogeneous deformation is demonstrated.

  • Performance of dissipative Dielectric Elastomer generators
    Journal of Applied Physics, 2012
    Co-Authors: Choon Chiang Foo, Soo Jin Adrian Koh, Christoph Keplinger, Rainer Kaltseis, Siegfried Bauer, Zhigang Suo
    Abstract:

    Dielectric Elastomer generators are high-energy-density electromechanical transducers. Their performance is affected by dissipative losses. This paper presents a theoretical analysis of a Dielectric Elastomer generator with two dissipative processes: viscoelasticity and current leakage. Conversion cycles are shown to attain steady-state after several cycles. Performance parameters such as electrical energy generated per cycle, average power, and mechanical to electrical energy conversion efficiency are introduced. Trade-offs between large electrical energy and power output and poor conversion efficiency are discussed. Excessive current leakage results in negative efficiency—the Dielectric Elastomer generator wastes energy instead of generating it. The general framework developed in this paper helps in the design and assessment of conversion cycles for dissipative Dielectric Elastomer generators.