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This work presents a novel and innovative design for a dielectric elastomer-based pump with a focus on resonance optimization. Dielectric elastomer pumps are increasingly relevant in fluid transport applications, but their efficiency and control remain critical challenges. This study presents a novel approach to addressing these issues. The proposed design leverages the concept of resonance optimization, a cutting-edge approach that enhances the performance of dielectric elastomer pumps by exploiting their inherent resonant frequencies. The mechanical design is systematically chosen to ensure that the system's resonance matches the pump's working frequency, and when an appropriate electric field is applied, it significantly enhances the pump's efficiency through resonance enhancement. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a fully functional dielectric elastomer-based pump demonstrator is built and tested. The demonstrator showcases how the systematic selection of mechanical design elements, including pump chamber, pump membrane geometry, biasing mechanism and dielectric elastomer design, combined with resonance optimization, results in an optimized pump adapted to handle different loads effectively. Dielectric elastomers (DEs), known for their exceptional properties such as high-frequency operation, high energy efficiency and the ability to freely tailor geometries to suit specific applications, serve as a keystone in achieving these improvements. By exploiting these characteristics, this innovative approach opens up new possibilities for fluid transport technologies, making it an ideal candidate for applications demanding reliability and low energy consumption. In conclusion, this design approach for DE-based pumps with resonance optimization holds promise for overcoming existing limitations in dielectric elastomer technology in the field of pump applications, presenting a pathway towards more efficient and versatile pump systems.
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