High-strain helical dielectric elastomer actuators

Koenigsdorff, Markus; Mersch, Johannes; Pfeil, Sascha; Gerlach, Gerald

doi:10.1117/12.2612172

Cited by 11 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Current approaches to achieve anisotropic properties in actuators are 3D-printed patterns coupled to the DEA structure 1 , wrinkled DE films and electrodes 2 or rolled DEAs into cylindrical-shaped actuators 3 . A promising approach to obtain DEA structures with a high degree of anisotropy is to incorporate stiff fibers into DE layers 4 or actuator electrodes 5 (Fig. 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to adjusting selective mechanical properties, carbon fiber-based textiles are also functionalized as DEA electrodes. This allows the assembly of strip 5 and helical 9 Besides characterization experiments based on fiber-reinforced DEAs 10 , finite element modeling methods were recently proposed that consider both the isotropic DE matrix and embedded fibers to simulate the anisotropic electromechanical response of the whole composite 11 . Analytical solutions were also presented, in particular for torsional deformations of tubular actuators reinforced by inextensible fibers in helical assembly 12,13 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Influence of the active-to-passive area ratio on the electrically induced strain of a fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomer actuator

Liebscher

Endesfelder

Koenigsdorff

et al. 2023

Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXV

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There is an increasing interest to use novel elastomers with inherent or modified advanced dielectric and mechanical properties, as components of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA). This requires corresponding techniques to assess their electromechanical performance. One performance criterion is the electrically induced deformation of the active electrode area. In this work, a rectangular DEA is used to investigate the influence of the ratio between the active electrode and the passive area on the actuator deformation. For this purpose, a dielectric silicone film is bonded on one surface to a unidirectional carbon fiber fabric. Thereby, highly anisotropic mechanical properties are implemented. When strains are applied perpendicular to the fiber direction, the composite hardly contracts in the fiber direction due to the superior stiffness of the fibers. In addition, the conductive fiber structure also acts as a highly anisotropic compliant electrode. By application of a second paste-like electrode onto the silicone film a DEA is created that operates in a pure shear configuration. This assembly enables the modification of the active-to-passive area ratio and the investigation of its effect on the actuator deformation. Image-based measurements are used to determine the strain of the active electrode area. The experimental results are compared to a lumped-parameter model that considers the electromechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced DEA. In summary, the ratio of the active-to-passive area has a significant influence on the measured deformation. Especially for novel actuator materials that do not exhibit large strains, an active-to-passive ratio of 50 % proves to be particularly advantageous.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of the active-to-passive area ratio on the electrically induced strain of a fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomer actuator

Liebscher

Endesfelder

Koenigsdorff

et al. 2023

Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXV

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“…Such frames drastically increase the overall weight of the actuator and therefore reduce the attainable power density. 11 The integration of stiff parallel fibers into the actuator structure as a way to introduce mechanical anisotropy can be used to improve bending behaviour, 12,13 suppress electro-mechanical instabilities, 14 and to influence the deformation mode of the actuator. 15,16 Importantly, it has been shown to be a feasible way to increase the uniaxial deformation in DEAs subjected to mechanical loads.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Free-standing tubular DEAs for multi-directional bending

Koenigsdorff¹,

Mersch²,

Gerlach³

2023

Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) XXV

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Highly anisotropic, fiber-based structures are a successful concept in nature. Usual dielectric elastomer actuators are entirely soft and rely on the integration of stiff carrier frames for the fragile dielectric membranes. Within this work, a completely soft, fiber-reinforced free-standing tubular actuator concept is presented. The circumferentially running carbon fibers are integrated into the inner electrode of the DEA and stabilize the cross-section, while having negligible impact on the mechanical stiffness in the axial direction. Through the segmentation of the outer electrode of the actuator, active bending in the corresponding directions is achieved. Moreover, if all segments are activated simultaneously, the actuator expands axially. The presented manufacturing approach allows for the adjustment of the dimensions over a wide range of diameters and lengths. Furthermore, the local stiffness of actuators can be tailored by varying the amount of fibers incorporated into the electrode. The electroactive deformation of actuators with different diameter-to-length ratios and fiber densities is investigated.

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“…Currently, most DEA electrodes are fabricated by spraying, 17 coating, 21 brushing/smearing, 14 and doctor blading. 22 Although these approaches are relatively simple, cheap, and accessible, they require shadow masks, making it difficult to fabricate electrodes with complex structures and high resolution. Dropon-demand (DoD) inkjet printing is a digital, noncontact, maskfree, material-saving, 23 and fast technology that can obtain high resolution (at the order of 20−100 μm 24,25 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, most DEA electrodes are fabricated by spraying, coating, brushing/smearing, and doctor blading . Although these approaches are relatively simple, cheap, and accessible, they require shadow masks, making it difficult to fabricate electrodes with complex structures and high resolution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizations and Inkjet Printing of Carbon Black Electrodes for Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Yi,

Babick,

Strobel

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have been proposed as a promising technology for developing soft robotics and stretchable electronics due to their large actuation. Among available fabrication techniques, inkjet printing is a digital, maskfree, material-saving, and fast technology, making it versatile and appealing for fabricating DEA electrodes. However, there is still a lack of suitable materials for inkjet-printed electrodes. In this study, multiple carbon black (CB) inks were developed and tested as DEA electrodes inkjet-printed on acrylic membranes (VHB). Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether (TGME) and chlorobenzene (CLB) were selected to disperse CB. The inks' stability, particle size, surface tension, viscosity, electrical resistance, and printability were characterized. The DEA with Ink-TGME/CLB (mixture solvent) electrodes obtained 80.63% area strain, a new benchmark for the DEA actuation with CB powder electrodes on VHB. The novelty of this work involves the disclosure of a new ink recipe (TGME/CLB/CB) for inkjet printing that can obtain stable drop formations with a small nozzle (17 × 17 μm), high resolution (∼25 μm, approaching the limit of drop-on-demand inkjet printing), and the largest area strain of DEAs under similar conditions, distinguishing this contribution from the previous works, which is important for the fabrication and miniaturization of DEA-based soft and stretchable electronics.

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High-strain helical dielectric elastomer actuators

Cited by 11 publications

References 16 publications

Influence of the active-to-passive area ratio on the electrically induced strain of a fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomer actuator

Influence of the active-to-passive area ratio on the electrically induced strain of a fiber-reinforced dielectric elastomer actuator

Free-standing tubular DEAs for multi-directional bending

Characterizations and Inkjet Printing of Carbon Black Electrodes for Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

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