High stress actuation by dielectric elastomer with oil capsules

Thanh-Giang La; Gih-Keong Lau; Li-Lynn Shiau; Adrian Wei Yee Tan

doi:10.1117/12.2046371

8 March 2014 High stress actuation by dielectric elastomer with oil capsules

Thanh-Giang La, Gih-Keong Lau, Li-Lynn Shiau, Adrian Wei Yee Tan

Proceedings Volume 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014; 90560X (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046371
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Though capable of generating a large strain, dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) generate only a moderate actuation stress not more than 200kPa, which seriously limits its use as artificial muscles for robotic arm. Enhancement of dielectric strength (greater than 500MV/m) by dielectric oil immersion could possibly enable it a larger force generation. Previously, the immersion was done in an oil bath, which limits portability together with DEAs. In this study, we developed portable capsules to enclose oil over the DEA substrate (VHB 4905). The capsules is made of a thinner soft acrylic membrane and they seals dielectric liquid oil (Dow Corning Fluid 200 50cSt). The DEA substrate is a graphiteclad VHB membrane, which is pre-stretched with pure-shear boundary condition for axial actuation. When activated under isotonic condition, the oil-capsule DEA can sustain a very high dielectric field up to 903 MV/m and does not fail; whereas, the dry DEA breaks down at a lower electric field at 570 MV/m. Furthermore, the oil-capsule DEA can produces higher isometric stress change up to 1.05MPa, which is 70% more than the maximum produced by the dry DEA. This study confirmed that oil capping helps DEA achieve very high dielectric strength and generate more stress change for work.

Citation Download Citation

Thanh-Giang La, Gih-Keong Lau, Li-Lynn Shiau, and Adrian Wei Yee Tan "High stress actuation by dielectric elastomer with oil capsules", Proc. SPIE 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014, 90560X (8 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2046371

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