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Electrode structures in high strain actuator technology

P. KHODAPARAST1, S. R. GHAFFARIAN1,* , M. R. KHOSROSHAHI1, N. YOUSEFIMEHR1, D. ZAMANI1

Affiliation

  1. Polymer Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Dielectric elastomers are a class of electro-active polymers (EAPs) which have been used for smart structures, such as muscle-like actuators. These materials with compliant electrodes are transducers of electrical to mechanical energy, with extremely large strain and good efficiency. A thorough understanding of the physics underlying the nature of different electrode materials can help modify actuator response. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effect of 4 different electrodes (graphite powder, carbon filled grease, silver filled grease and electrically conductive silicone rubber) on the performance of dielectric elastomer actuators. The principle of operation, the method of fabrication and test method of planar actuators are discussed. Effects of different driving voltages and different prestrain values on the actuator response have been studied. Electrical conductivity under strain, electrode surface uniformity and mechanical compatibility with substrate, as the most important parameters of the electrodes, has been investigated. The importance of latter case in terms of curing state and thickness of rubber electrode has been studied, as influential factors in actuator response. Electromechanical coupling efficiency was used as a consequential parameter to compare different electrode performances. It is concluded that this parameter is influenced by the nature of electrodes..

Keywords

Compliant electrode, Dielectric elastomer actuator, Electro-active polymer.

Submitted at: Sept. 24, 2007
Accepted at: Nov. 16, 2007

Citation

P. KHODAPARAST, S. R. GHAFFARIAN, M. R. KHOSROSHAHI, N. YOUSEFIMEHR, D. ZAMANI, Electrode structures in high strain actuator technology, Journal of Optoelectronics and Advanced Materials Vol. 9, Iss. 11, pp. 3585-3591 (2007)