Dielectric elastomer unimorph using flexible electrodes of electrolessly deposited (ELD) silver

Lau, Gih Keong; Goh, Simon Chun Kiat; Shiau, Li Lynn

doi:10.1016/j.sna.2011.04.037

Cited by 42 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Self-clearing of compliant electrodes on elastomers has also been observed and characterized with electrolessly deposited silver, a method to deposit thin silver layers from liquid precursors [85]. This technique is normally used to apply the reflective coating on mirrors, and has recently been applied to the fabrication of compliant electrodes for DEAs [86].…”

Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…subsection 4.5). Upon localized dielectric breakdown, the metallic layer is thin enough to be vaporized around the defect [85,86]. These electrodes were shown to sustain uniaxial strains of 10% while remaining conductive.…”

Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These electrodes were shown to sustain uniaxial strains of 10% while remaining conductive. This electrode technology has been applied to the fabrication of bending uniand bi-morph DEAs, a configuration in which the electrode is not strained much [85,86]. In the more conventional surface strain configuration, Low and Lau reported actuation surface strains up to 21% (10% linear) with electrolessly deposited silver [87].…”

Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Flexible and stretchable electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators

2012

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are flexible lightweight actuators that can generate strains of over 100%. They are used in applications ranging from haptic feedback (mm-sized devices), to cm-scale soft robots, to meter-long blimps. DEAs consist of an electrode-elastomer-electrode stack, placed on a frame. Applying a voltage between the electrodes electrostatically compresses the elastomer, which deforms in-plane or out-of plane depending on design. Since the electrodes are bonded to the elastomer, they must reliably sustain repeated very large deformations while remaining conductive, and without significantly adding to the stiffness of the soft elastomer. The electrodes are required for electrostatic actuation, but also enable resistive and capacitive sensing of the strain, leading to self-sensing actuators. This review compares the different technologies used to make compliant electrodes for DEAs in terms of: impact on DEA device performance (speed, efficiency, maximum strain), manufacturability, miniaturization, the integration of self-sensing and selfswitching, and compatibility with low-voltage operation. While graphite and carbon black have been the most widely used technique in research environments, alternative methods are emerging which combine compliance, conduction at over 100% strain with better conductivity and/or ease of patternability, including microfabrication-based approaches for compliant metal thin-films, metal-polymer nano-composites, nanoparticle implantation, and reel-to-reel production of µm-scale patterned thin films on elastomers. Such electrodes are key to miniaturization, low-voltage operation, and widespread commercialization of DEAs.

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Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Other Self-clearing Compliant Electrodesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Flexible and stretchable electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators

2012

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“…While the resulting observed change in bending curvature is less than has been demonstrated by other unimorph type DEAs, 13 our device both takes into account saddling due to pre-stretch and also displays no obvious degradation of the electrode material throughout testing (though a much more extensive study is necessary to verify this claim). However, the theory suggests that even greater bending can be achieved by imposing a "plane strain" loading condition during pre-stretch.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…12 Typically, the surfaces of the dielectric are coated with metallic particles, 13 graphite powder, 7 carbon fibers, 7 carbon black, 11 or carbon grease. 9,14 Alternatively, DEAs may comprise conductive electrode materials such as electrolytic elastomers (hydrogels) 15 or electrodes made conductive by direct filling with conductive particles 8 or through low-energy ion implantation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Saddle-like deformation in a dielectric elastomer actuator embedded with liquid-phase gallium-indium electrodes

et al. 2014

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We introduce a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) composed of liquid-phase Gallium-Indium (GaIn) alloy electrodes embedded between layers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and examine its mechanics using a specialized elastic shell theory. Residual stresses in the dielectric and sealing layers of PDMS cause the DEA to deform into a saddle-like geometry (Gaussian curvature K < 0). Applying voltage U to the liquid metal electrodes induces electrostatic pressure (Maxwell stress) on the dielectric and relieves some of the residual stress. This reduces the longitudinal bending curvature and corresponding angle of deflection #. Treating the elastomer as an incompressible, isotropic, NeoHookean solid, we develop a theory based on the principle of minimum potential energy to predict the principal curvatures as a function of U. Based on this theory, we predict a dependency of # on U that is in strong agreement with experimental measurements performed on a GaIn-PDMS composite. By accurately modeling electromechanical coupling in a soft-matter DEA, this theory can inform improvements in design and fabrication. V C 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

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Electroactive Polymer Actuators

Ismail

Shabeeba

Sidheekha

et al. 2023

Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology

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Electroactive polymers (EAPs) have emerged as feasible materials to emulate biological muscles due to their ability to undergo significant changes in shape or size in response to electrical stimulation. They have received immense consideration in various fields of applications such as robotics, biomimetics, wearable electronics, prosthetics, optical devices, and so on owing to their mechanical flexibility, easy processing, light weight, low density, fracture tolerance, pliability, and the ability to induce large actuation strains than other conventional mechanically responsive polymers. Electronic EAPs including dielectric elastomers, ferroelectric polymers, liquid crystal elastomers, and electrostrictive graft polymers are driven by electric fields or Coulomb forces and require high voltage for activation. While ionic EAPs such as ionic polymer metal composites, ionic gels, conducting polymers, carbon nanotubes, and electrorheological fluids are driven by the drifting or diffusion of ions and operate at lower voltages. The emphasis in this article is on the studies of key materials used in the field of electroactive polymer actuators, reviewing the mechanism that drives the actuation, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and discussing their applications.

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Dielectric elastomer unimorph using flexible electrodes of electrolessly deposited (ELD) silver

Cited by 42 publications

References 22 publications

Flexible and stretchable electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators

Flexible and stretchable electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators

Saddle-like deformation in a dielectric elastomer actuator embedded with liquid-phase gallium-indium electrodes

Electroactive Polymer Actuators

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