Multilayer dielectric elastomer tubular transducers for soft robotic applications

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer transducers (DET) belong to the group of electroactive polymers and consist of an elastic dielectric layer laminated between two compliant electrodes. In order to reduce the driving voltage and at the same time maintain appreciable deformation, multilayer systems are common nowadays. Due to their complex manufacturing process, available transducers typically exhibit small aspect ratios in the range of 1:10–2:1 (length/diameter or height/width). Since DET have similar properties to a human muscle, it appears logical to use them in human machine interaction. Therefore, special transducer designs and an adapted dip coating fabrication method for aspect ratios higher than 16:1, which are required for soft robotic applications, are presented within this work. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) raw material Elastosil 2030 (Wacker Chemie AG) and particle-based electrode blends are used to build elongated multilayer tubular transducers with up to 10 layers and 100 mm in length. Moreover, different designs and integrated stiffening elements are simulated with Ansys multiphysics FEM tool. As shown in measurements, the absolute deformation can be increased by more than 40%.

Feasibility of a Dielectric Elastomer Augmented Aorta

“…Most tubular DEAs that are fabricated and studied [12,13] are based on rolled acrylic (VHB from 3M) films to obtain a tubular structure. For the fabrication of multilayer tubular DEAs based on silicone, only two processes exist: deep coating [14] and rolling film [15] .…”

Laser Structuring of Thin Metal Films of Compliant Electrodes on Dielectric Elastomers

“…[ 11 ] Since the elastomer can undergo elastic deformations of up to 100%, the electrode must be capable of very high stretchability and compliance, while simultaneously exhibiting low electrical and mechanical degradation. [ 12 ] Usually, carbon‐based materials, such as carbon powder, [ 13 ] carbon grease, [ 10 ] or carbon black [ 14 ] are used as electrode materials, whose manufacturing is addressed via ink jetting, [ 15 ] screen printing [ 16 ] or dip coating processes, [ 17 ] amongst others. The minimal structural size of the electrode design is thus directly connected to (and limited by) the applied manufacturing process, e.g.…”

Dielectric properties and dielectric relaxation process of polymethylphenylsiloxane/silicon dioxide nanocomposites

“…Polysiloxane dielectric elastomers (DEs) has become a promising electrically active soft material because they have high efficiency, good weather resistance, good shear stability, low toxicity, and wide temperature range and are insensitive to air humidity. 1 They are widely used in artificial muscles, [2][3][4] touch displays, [5][6][7] robots, [8][9][10] and energy harvesting. [11][12][13] However, the low dielectric constant and low breakdown strength significantly limit the use of silicone rubber materials as dielectric materials.…”