Fabrication of zipping electrostatic actuators incorporating inkjet-printed layers

Giulio Grasso; Samuel Rosset; Herbert Shea

doi:10.1117/12.2581393

22 March 2021 Fabrication of zipping electrostatic actuators incorporating inkjet-printed layers

Giulio Grasso, Samuel Rosset, Herbert Shea

Proceedings Volume 11587, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXIII; 115871O (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2581393
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

Zipping electrostatic actuators operate by bending flexible electrodes using electrostatic forces. This principle allows the use of a wide range of dielectric and conductive materials. Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques can be used to fabricate these actuators. The selective direct deposition of multiple materials improves the actuator design flexibility, as customized prototypes can be fabricated without masks and moulds. Here we present the first integration of AM techniques in the fabrication process of Hydraulically Amplified Taxels (HAXELs), a class of electrostatic actuators combining zipping electrodes deformation with the inflation of a stretchable material using fluidic coupling. We use an inkjet printer (jetlab® 4 by MicroFab) to deposit Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the stretchable material and Ethyl Cellulose as a sacrificial material for fluidic features patterning. We integrate gold-sputtered, laser-cut Mylar foils for the flexible part of the actuator by encapsulating them between the inkjet-printed layers. After dissolving the sacrificial material, a dielectric fluid can be injected in the fabricated actuators. Qualitative evaluation of a fabricated device is reported, showing electrode zipping. The presented fabrication process allows future fabrication of highly integrated actuators having arbitrary shapes.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Giulio Grasso, Samuel Rosset, and Herbert Shea "Fabrication of zipping electrostatic actuators incorporating inkjet-printed layers", Proc. SPIE 11587, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXIII, 115871O (22 March 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2581393

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available