The holy grail of reconfigurable optics for microscopy, machine vision and other imaging technologies is a compact, in-line, low cost, refractive device that could dynamically tune optical aberrations within a range of about 2–5 wavelengths. This paper presents the first electrically reconfigurable, fully elastomeric, tuneable optical lenses with motor-less electrical controllability of astigmatism in the visible range. By applying different voltage combinations to thin dielectric elastomer actuator segments surrounding a soft silicone lens, we show that the latter can be electrically deformed either radially or along selectable directions, so as to tune defocus or astigmatism, up to about 3 wavelengths. By mounting the new lenses on a commercial camera, we demonstrate their functionality, showing how electrically reconfiguring their shape can be used to dynamically control directional blurring while taking images of different targets, so as to emphasize directional features having orthogonal spatial orientations. Results suggest that the possibility of electrically controlling aberrations inherent to these smart lenses holds promise to develop highly versatile new components for adaptive optics.
This paper presents a novel wearable tactile haptic display for rendering soft body sensations to multiple fingertips with electroactive smart elastomers. The system uses newly developed multi-layered hydrostatically coupled dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), which have been designed to apply a localised tunable force to a user's fingertip via a soft electrically-deformable interface. The system is comprised of DEAs which are fingertip mounted and are driven individually by a wired connection to a control unit. The force applied to the user's fingertip is based on the user's fingertip position which is monitored by an optical three dimensional finger tracking system. This novel tactile display system is conceived to convey soft body interactions within virtual environments. To demonstrate this, a simulator capable of demonstrating virtual objects of varying tactile haptic properties has been developed. This paper presents preliminary results of ongoing testing, as well as data pertaining to the characterization of the device in terms of force response. The paper also outlines the current limitations of the proposed technology and challenges to be addressed for further developments.
Fingertip‐mounted tactile displays of softness are needed for various virtual‐ or augmented‐reality applications such as surgical simulation, tele‐operation, computer‐aided design, 3D model exploration, and tele‐presence. Displaying a virtual softness on a fingertip requires the generation of quasi‐static large displacements at moderate forces (as opposed to high‐frequency small vibrations at high forces), via a deformable surface, to control both the contact area and the indentation depth of the skin. State‐of‐the‐art actuation technologies are unable to combine simple structure, low weight, and low size, as well as energy efficiency and silent operation. Here, the progress on the development of a non‐vibratory display of softness made of electroactive polymers is reported. It consists of a hydrostatically coupled dielectric elastomer actuator, shaped as a bubble interfaced to the fingertip, having a weight of 6 g. Prototypes can generate displacements up to 3.5 mm and forces up to 1 N. By combining this technology with a compact hand tracking sensor, a simple and cost‐effective virtual‐reality system is demonstrated. A psychophysical study engaging 15 volunteers in poke and pinch tactile tasks shows that users can properly distinguish between different stimuli rendered by the display, with an accuracy correlated to the perceptual difficulty of the tactile comparative task.
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