We utilize a nonlinear, dynamic finite element model coupled with a finite deformation viscoelastic constitutive law to study the inhomogeneous deformation and instabilities resulting from the application of a constant voltage to dielectric elastomers. The constant voltage loading is used to study electrostatically driven creep and the resulting electromechanical instabilities for two different...

The development of instabilities in soft heterogeneous dielectric elastomers is investigated. Motivated by experiments and possible applications, we use in our analysis the physically relevant referential electric field instead of electric displacement. In terms of this variable, a closed form solution is derived for the class of layered neo-Hookean dielectrics. A criterion for the onset of ele...

When an electric voltage is applied across the thickness of a thin layer of an dielectric elastomer, the layer reduces its thickness and expands its area. This electrically induced deformation can be rapid and large, and is potentially useful as soft actuators in diverse technologies. Recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown that, when the voltage exceeds some critical value, the ...

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