A Multi?Mode, Multi?Frequency Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

Modeling of a Dielectric Elastomer Bender Actuator

The current smallest self-contained modular robot uses a shape memory alloy, which is inherently inefficient, slow and difficult to control. We present the design, fabrication and demonstration of a module based on dielectric elastomer actuation. The module uses a pair of bowtie dielectric elastomer actuators in an agonist-antagonist configuration and is seven times smaller than previously demo...

Fully printed 3 microns thick dielectric elastomer actuator

In this work we present a new fabrication technique to print thin dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), reducing the driving voltage below 300 V while keeping good actuation performance. With operation voltages in the kV-range, standard DEAs are limited in terms of potential applications. Using thinner membranes is one of the few existing methods to achieve lower operation voltages. Typical DE...

Dielectric elastomer actuator for mechanical loading of 2D cell cultures.

We demonstrate the use of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) for mechanical stimulation of cells in vitro. The development of living tissues is regulated by their mechanical environment through the modification of fundamental cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation and gene expression. Mechanical cues have been linked to numerous pathological conditions, and progress in cel...

Dielectric Elastomers Conductive Elastomer Insulating Elastomer

Theoretical Description and Fabrication of a New Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Showing Linear Contractions

Dielectric elastomers represent today excellent materials for the realisation of electric field driven polymer actuators capable of high performances. A new kind of actuator made of dielectric elastomers, able to show in principle electrically activated linear contractions, is here theoretically described. The device consists of an elastomeric hollow cylinder, having two helical electrodes inte...