Self-clearing dielectric elastomer actuators using charcoal-powder electrodes

Gih-Keong Lau; Soo-Lim Chua; Li-Lynn Shiau; Adrian Wei Yee Tan

doi:10.1117/12.915493

3 April 2012 Self-clearing dielectric elastomer actuators using charcoal-powder electrodes

Gih-Keong Lau, Soo-Lim Chua, Li-Lynn Shiau, Adrian Wei Yee Tan

Proceedings Volume 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012; 834016 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915493
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This study found that compliant electrodes using charcoal powder enable self clearing property to dielectric elastomer actuator. Charcoal powder is applied as compliant electrodes by smearing on a 100% bi-axially pre-stretched dielectric elastomer membrane (VHB 9473), with nominal pre-stretched thickness of 62.3 μm. This DEA using charcoal-powder electrodes can sustain up 10 kV without terminal breakdown, while those using graphite or silver grease break down at slightly above 2 kV. It is noted that this DEA using charcoal-powder has maximum areal strain at about 45 % at 4 kV, beyond which the strain does not increase further for reduced electrical conductivity. The dielectric elastomer actuator using the charcoal-powder electrodes generate less actuation strain than that using the graphite. However, the former can produce a large actuation stress as it can driven to a higher driving voltage without pre-mature breakdown.

Citation Download Citation

Gih-Keong Lau, Soo-Lim Chua, Li-Lynn Shiau, and Adrian Wei Yee Tan "Self-clearing dielectric elastomer actuators using charcoal-powder electrodes", Proc. SPIE 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, 834016 (3 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915493

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