Actuating dielectric elastomers in pure shear deformation by elastomeric conductors

Journal Article · Mon Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2014 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4864402· OSTI ID:22283183

Wang, Yin; Chen, Baohong; Zhou, Jinxiong ^[1]; Bai, Yuanyuan; Wang, Hong ^[2]

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1. State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures and School of Aerospace, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049 (China)
2. Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049 (China)

Pure shear experiments are commonly used to characterize dielectric elastomer (DE) material properties and to evaluate DE actuator/generator performance. It is increasingly important for many applications to replace conventional carbon grease electrodes with stretchable elastomeric conductors. We formulate a theory for DE with elastomeric conductors, synthesize transparent hydrogel as ionic conductors, and measure actuation of DE in pure shear deformation. Maximum 67% actuation strain is demonstrated. The theory agrees well with our measurement and also correlates well with reported experiments on DE with electronic conductors.

• OSTI ID: 22283183
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 6; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACTUATORS
CARBON
DEFORMATION
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELASTOMERS
ELECTRODES
IONIC CONDUCTIVITY
PERFORMANCE
SHEAR PROPERTIES
STRAINS