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Dielectric Elastomers

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Soft Actuators

Abstract

Electroactive polymer transducers have many features that are desirable for various devices. An especially attractive type of electroactive polymer is dielectric elastomer.

Dielectric elstomer, based on the field-induced deformation of elastomeric polymers with compliant electrodes, can produce a large strain response, a fast response time and high electromechanical efficiency. This unique performance, combined with other factors such as low cost, suggests many potential applications, a wide range of which are under investigation. Applications that effectively exploit the properties of dielectric elastomers include artificial muscle actuators for robots; low-cost, lightweight linear actuators; solid-state optical devices; diaphragm actuators for pumps and smart skins; acoustic actuators; and rotary motors. Dielectric elastomers may also be used to generate electrical power from mechanical deformation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chiba Science Institute, 3-8-18 Yagumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Seiki Chiba

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  1. Seiki Chiba
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Correspondence to Seiki Chiba .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Osaka, Japan

    Kinji Asaka

  2. University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Japan

    Hidenori Okuzaki

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Chiba, S. (2014). Dielectric Elastomers. In: Asaka, K., Okuzaki, H. (eds) Soft Actuators. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54767-9_13

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