Multilayer stack actuator made from new prestrain-free dielectric elastomers

Xiaofan Niu; Ruby Leo; Dustin Chen; Wei Hu; Qibing Pei

doi:10.1117/12.2009561

9 April 2013 Multilayer stack actuator made from new prestrain-free dielectric elastomers

Xiaofan Niu, Ruby Leo, Dustin Chen, Wei Hu, Qibing Pei

Proceedings Volume 8687, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2013; 86871M (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009561
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The best performing dielectric elastomer materials reported thus far are commercial products manufactured for applications unrelated to electro-mechanical transduction. Prestretching is commonly employed to obtain high actuation strain and energy density. The limited knowledge of the polymers’ chemical structure makes it difficult to re-formulate the polymers for significantly improved overall material performance. We report the synthesis of new acrylate-based dielectric elastomers that exhibit high actuation strain without prestretching. Mixtures of commercial acrylate monomers and other additives are copolymerized by UV-initiated radical polymerization to form thin dielectric elastomer membranes. This processing can readily be scaled up to fabricate multi-layer stacked actuators with 11% linear actuation strain.

Citation Download Citation

Xiaofan Niu, Ruby Leo, Dustin Chen, Wei Hu, and Qibing Pei "Multilayer stack actuator made from new prestrain-free dielectric elastomers", Proc. SPIE 8687, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2013, 86871M (9 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009561

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