Evaluation of area strain response of dielectric elastomer actuator using image processing technique

Raj Kumar Sahu; Koyya Sudarshan; Karali Patra; Shovan Bhaumik

doi:10.1117/12.2044895

8 March 2014 Evaluation of area strain response of dielectric elastomer actuator using image processing technique

Raj Kumar Sahu, Koyya Sudarshan, Karali Patra, Shovan Bhaumik

Proceedings Volume 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014; 90562C (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2044895
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is a kind of soft actuators that can produce significantly large electric-field induced actuation strain and may be a basic unit of artificial muscles and robotic elements. Understanding strain development on a pre-stretched sample at different regimes of electrical field is essential for potential applications. In this paper, we report about ongoing work on determination of area strain using digital camera and image processing technique. The setup, developed in house consists of low cost digital camera, data acquisition and image processing algorithm. Samples have been prepared by biaxially stretched acrylic tape and supported between two cardboard frames. Carbon-grease has been pasted on the both sides of the sample, which will be compliant with electric field induced large deformation. Images have been grabbed before and after the application of high voltage. From incremental image area, strain has been calculated as a function of applied voltage on a pre-stretched dielectric elastomer (DE) sample. Area strain has been plotted with the applied voltage for different pre-stretched samples. Our study shows that the area strain exhibits nonlinear relationship with applied voltage. For same voltage higher area strain has been generated on a sample having higher pre-stretched value. Also our characterization matches well with previously published results which have been done with costly video extensometer. The study may be helpful for the designers to fabricate the biaxial pre-stretched planar actuator from similar kind of materials.

Citation Download Citation

Raj Kumar Sahu, Koyya Sudarshan, Karali Patra, and Shovan Bhaumik "Evaluation of area strain response of dielectric elastomer actuator using image processing technique", Proc. SPIE 9056, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2014, 90562C (8 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2044895

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