Resonant behavior of a membrane of a dielectric elastomer

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis paper analyzes a membrane of a dielectric elastomer, prestretched and mounted on a rigid circular ring, and then inflated by a combination of pressure and voltage. Equations of motion are derived from a nonlinear field theory, and used to analyze several experimental conditions. When the pressure and voltage are static, the membrane may attain a state of equilibrium, around which the membrane can oscillate. The natural frequencies can be tuned by varying the prestretch, pressure, or voltage. A sinusoidal pressure or voltage may excite superharmonic, harmonic, and subharmonic resonance. Several modes of oscillation predicted by the model have not been reported experimentally, possibly because these modes have small deflections, despite large stretches.

Dynamic Electromechanical Response of a Viscoelastic Dielectric Elastomer under Cycle Electric Loads

“…Based on the theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics [34][35][36] and the nonlinear vibration modeling [16][17][18][19], we aim to characterize the electromechanical and dynamic response of viscoelastic dielectric elastomer, to predict how viscoelasticity affect its dynamic performance and hysteresis process by comparing with the quasistatic response, and to present a physical interpretation on the instability and stability evolution coupled by viscoelasticity, relaxation time, and dynamic deformation.…”

“…Applications exploiting the dynamic behavior of DEs have long been realized through experiments including vibrotactile display for mobile applications [12], frequency tuning [13], pumps [14], and acoustic actuator [15]. Recently, researches have been also carried out on modeling the nonlinear vibrations of hyperelastic DE membranes [16][17][18][19]. Zhu et al [16] studied the resonant behavior of a prestretched membrane of a DE and subsequently analyzed the nonlinear oscillations of a DE balloon [17].…”

“…Recently, researches have been also carried out on modeling the nonlinear vibrations of hyperelastic DE membranes [16][17][18][19]. Zhu et al [16] studied the resonant behavior of a prestretched membrane of a DE and subsequently analyzed the nonlinear oscillations of a DE balloon [17]. Based on simple geometrical and spherical capacitor assumptions, Yong et al [18] investigated the dynamics of a thick-walled DE spherical shell.…”

An electronically tunable duct silencer using dielectric elastomer actuators

“…19 However, DE actuators can deform over a wide range of frequencies, and its acoustical performance is crucial for loudspeakers 16,17 or dynamic performance of the DE membrane. 12,20 For these acoustics researches, DE loudspeakers constructed to date are mostly proof of concept devices and need to be tested rigorously in order to be commercialized, 11,21 and the dynamic performances of the DE membrane which may have great potential for noise control are still not explicitly explored. Along the thinking of this line, a new duct silencer using DEAA was designed and tested in the present paper.…”

Saddle-like deformation in a dielectric elastomer actuator embedded with liquid-phase gallium-indium electrodes

“…25,26 The dielectric in a DEA is typically modeled as an incompressible elastic solid subject to a Maxwell stress r M ¼ r 0 E 2 , where 0 is the permittivity of free space, r is a dielectric constant, and E is the electric field strength. 7,[27][28][29] Recently, researchers have examined dynamics, 30 resonance, 31,32 and failure of thin film dielectrics 33,34 and the effect of viscoelasticity on electric instabilities and fracture. 35 In most cases, the elastomer in a DEA undergoes elastic strains and bending curvatures that are beyond the scope of linearized theories for elastic plates and shells.…”