Modelling the performance of devices based on thin dielectric elastomer membranes

Srivastava, Arpit Kumar; Basu, S.

doi:10.1016/j.mechmat.2019.103136

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Systems based on DEs can be influenced by a viscoelastic creep [24]. However, in the presented case, registered signals were stable and did not exhibit any long time trends that could be associated with a creep.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…One of the limiting factors in the operation of DEGs is an electrical breakdown of the elastomer membrane. According to Ref [24], a minimum value of electric field that can cause a VHB4910 membrane failure is E≈20 MV/m. This suggests that presented uniaxial DEG was not at risk of breakdown as, in any of tested cases, electric field did not exceed c.a.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental Investigation of a Uniaxial Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Sikora

2023

Acta Mechanica Et Automatica

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The widespread use of battery-powered electronic devices creates the need to develop methods to extend their maximum operating time. This can be achieved by using ambient energy, which would otherwise be dissipated. The conversion of energy, usually mechanical energy, into electric energy takes place in energy harvesters. Energy harvester systems based on a dielectric elastomer (DE) are a relatively new field that is being constantly developed. Due to their features, dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) may complement the currently dominant piezoelectric harvesters. The major feature of employing a hyperelastic material is that it allows relatively large displacements to be utilised for generating energy, which is impossible in the case of piezoceramics. This article presents a DEG designed to operate under uniaxial tensile loads and which has a multilayer structure, describes the general operating principles of a DEG, explains the construction and assembly process of the investigated design and shows the electric circuit necessary to properly direct current flow during the DEG operation. The experimental part consists of two series of tests based on a central composite design (CCD). The objective of the first part was to map a capacitance response surface of the DEG in the selected range of the cyclic mechanical load. The second part concerned the amount of generated energy for the specific load case as a function of operating voltages. The result of the work is the formulation of regression models that allow the characteristics of the presented DEG design to be identified.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Investigation of a Uniaxial Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Sikora

2023

Acta Mechanica Et Automatica

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“…The maximum value of the DC voltage is limited by the dielectric strength of the elastomer film. In-plane pre-stretching of the elastomer is considered an effective method to increase the dielectric strength [18][19][20] and reduce the thickness of the elastomer film.…”

Section: Dielectric Elastomersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroactive Polymer-Based Composites for Artificial Muscle-like Actuators: A Review

et al. 2022

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Unlike traditional actuators, such as piezoelectric ceramic or metallic actuators, polymer actuators are currently attracting more interest in biomedicine due to their unique properties, such as light weight, easy processing, biodegradability, fast response, large active strains, and good mechanical properties. They can be actuated under external stimuli, such as chemical (pH changes), electric, humidity, light, temperature, and magnetic field. Electroactive polymers (EAPs), called ‘artificial muscles’, can be activated by an electric stimulus, and fixed into a temporary shape. Restoring their permanent shape after the release of an electrical field, electroactive polymer is considered the most attractive actuator type because of its high suitability for prosthetics and soft robotics applications. However, robust control, modeling non-linear behavior, and scalable fabrication are considered the most critical challenges for applying the soft robotic systems in real conditions. Researchers from around the world investigate the scientific and engineering foundations of polymer actuators, especially the principles of their work, for the purpose of a better control of their capability and durability. The activation method of actuators and the realization of required mechanical properties are the main restrictions on using actuators in real applications. The latest highlights, operating principles, perspectives, and challenges of electroactive materials (EAPs) such as dielectric EAPs, ferroelectric polymers, electrostrictive graft elastomers, liquid crystal elastomers, ionic gels, and ionic polymer–metal composites are reviewed in this article.

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“…The failure mechanism that interrupts the deformation is when |E| m = E B , where E B is the electric breakdown strength of the DE material. Experiments Kofod et al (2001), Keplinger et al (2008), Srivastava and Basu (2019) have shown that the electric breakdown strength, E B , for common DE materials is a strongly increasing function of stretch. The value of E B for VHB, at a biaxial stretch of 6 can be as much as 8 times higher than that in the undeformed state.…”

Section: Limitations Imposed On the Deformation Of Dementioning

confidence: 99%

Stretchable patterns on elastomeric substrates

Ghosh

2021

Preprint

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Compression-induced buckling instability of metal thin films on a compliant base result in surface wrinkles. A stiff thin film, perfectly bonded to an infinitely deep pre-stretched dielectric elastomer (DE) substrate, is considered. Linear perturbation analysis reveals the critical strain in the layer at the onset of wrinkling. A fully coupled Finite-Element (FE) scheme, based on large deformation electroelasticity, where domains of the mechanical and electrical problems coincide, is developed to model the elastomer. The procedure can handle nearly incompressible materials, which require careful considerations. The thin film is modeled as a beam. The numerical technique is used to study the post-buckling behavior upon relaxation of the pre-strained substrate. The FE domain is a unit cell of twice the characteristic wavelength. Assuming that there is no wrinkling-induced delamination at the film/substrate interface, the numerical analyses overview various tunable surface configurations distinctly different from the sinusoidal shape. The several topographic options broaden the functional horizon of surface instability patterns. Again, corrugation is essential to provide a degree of electrode compliance when the elastomer elongates in the lateral direction due to an applied electric potential. Simulations show the response of DE for the different surface profiles and also demonstrate the failure mechanisms that limit the actuation.

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Modelling the performance of devices based on thin dielectric elastomer membranes

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Experimental Investigation of a Uniaxial Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Experimental Investigation of a Uniaxial Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Electroactive Polymer-Based Composites for Artificial Muscle-like Actuators: A Review

Stretchable patterns on elastomeric substrates

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