Inchworm based on the voltage actuation of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are amongst the simplest types of robots. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept inchworm robot that incorporates a few aligned fibers to suppress undesirable actuator bulging and more effectively convert the bending of a dielectric elastomer unimorph to forward motion. Finite element modeling confirms the role of the f...

As ElectroActive Polymers (EAPs) attract keen attentions from various engineering fields, they have been proven more beneficial over the traditional electromagnetic transducers. In the present paper, a new polymeric material that could be adopted for a dielectric elastomer actuator is introduced. The proposed synthetic rubber produces larger deformation at higher energy efficiency compared to p...

Elastomeric dielectric material has recently become a new alternative for actuator technology. The characteristics of dielectric elastomers placed between two electrodes to withstand large strain when electrodes are charged has attracted the attention of many researcher to study this material for actuator technology. Thus, in the past few years Danfoss Ventures A/S has established their own die...

Subject to a voltage, a dielectric elastomer (DE) deforms. Voltage-induced strains of above 100% have been observed when DEs are prestretched, and for DEs of certain network structures. Understanding mechanisms of large actuation strains is an active area of research. We propose that the voltage-stretch response of DEs may be modified by prestretch, or by using polymers with ‘‘short’’ chains. T...

A recent design of deformable lens mimics the human eye, adjusting its focal length in response to muscle-like actuation. The artificial muscle is a membrane of a dielectric elastomer subject to a voltage. Here, we calculate the coupled and inhomogeneous deformation of the lens and the dielectric elastomer actuator by formulating a nonlinear boundary-value problem. We characterize the strain-st...

Adaptive optical devices based on electric field induced deformation of dielectric elastomers require transparent and highly compliant electrodes to conform to large shape changes. Electrical, optical, and actuation properties of acrylic elastomer electrodes fabricated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) have been evaluated. Based on these properties, a fig...

Electrical actuators made from films of dielectric elastomers coated on both sides with stretchable electrodes may potentially be applied in microrobotics, tactile and haptic interfaces, as well as in adaptive optical elements. Such actuators with compliant electrodes are sensitive to the pull-in electromechanical instability, limiting operational voltages and attainable deformations. Electrode...