No abstract

Mechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy by using a dielectric elastomer generator. The elastomer is susceptible to various modes of failure, including electrical breakdown, electromechanical instability, loss of tension, and rupture by stretch. The modes of failure define a cycle of maximal energy that can be converted. This cycle is represented on planes of work-conjugate coordinates and may be used to guide the design of practical cycles.

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. This modification results in suppression or elimination of electromechanical instability, leading to large actuation strains. We propose a method to select and design a DE, such that the actuation strain is maximized. The theoretical predictions agree well with existing experimental data. The theory may contribute to the development of DEs with exceptional performance. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011