Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Self-organized minimum-energy structures for dielectric elastomer actuators

  • Published:
Applied Physics A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

When a stretched elastomer is laminated to a flat plastic frame, a complex shape is formed, which is termed a minimum-energy structure. It is shown how self-organized structures can be applied in the development of actuators with complex, out-of-plane actuationmodes. This unusual concept is then demonstrated in the case of dielectric elastomer actuators. Among advantages of this approach are the simplicity in manufacturing, the potential complexity and sophistication of the manufactured structures, and the general benefits of the concept when applied to other electro-mechanically active materials.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Y. Bar-Cohen (ed.), Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Actuators as Artificial Muscles: Reality, Potential, and Challenges (International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE), Bellingham, Washington, 2004)

  2. Q. Pei, R. Pelrine, S. Stanford, R.D. Kornbluh, M.S. Rosenthal, Synth. Met. 135–136, 129 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. H. Prahlad, R. Kornbluh, R. Pelrine, S. Stanford, J. Eckerle, S. Oh, Polymer power: dielectric elastomers and their applications in distributed actuation and power generation. In Proc. ISSS 2005, Bangalore, India, 2005, SA-13

  4. L. Treloar, The Physics of Rubber Elasticity (Oxford Classic Texts Phys. Sci.) (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005)

    Google Scholar 

  5. R. Osserman (ed.), Geometry V, vol. 90 of Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences (Springer, Berlin, 1997)

  6. S. Hildebrandt, A. Tromba, The Parsimonious Universe: Shape and Form in the Natural World (Copernicus/Springer, New York, 1996)

    Google Scholar 

  7. J.M. Skotheim, L. Mahadevan, Science 308, 1308 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. R. Pelrine, R. Kornbluh, Q. Pei, J. Joseph, Science 287, 836 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. E.W.H. Jager, O. Inganas, I. Lundstrom, Science 288, 2335 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. A.R. Tajbakhsh, E.M. Terentjev, Eur. Phys. J. E 6, 181 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Q.M. Zhang, H. Li, M. Poh, F. Xia, Z. Cheng, H. Xu, C. Huang, Nature 419, 284 (2002)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Condensed Matter Physics, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14669, Potsdam, Germany

    G. Kofod

  2. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, P.O. Box 1300, 33101, Tampere, Finland

    M. Paajanen & S. Bauer

  3. Department of Soft Matter Physics, Johannes Kepler University, Altenberger Strasse 69, 4040, Linz, Austria

    S. Bauer

Authors
  1. G. Kofod
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Paajanen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Bauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Bauer.

Additional information

PACS

46.32.+x; 77.65.-j; 83.80.Va

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kofod, G., Paajanen, M. & Bauer, S. Self-organized minimum-energy structures for dielectric elastomer actuators. Appl. Phys. A 85, 141–143 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3680-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-006-3680-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation