Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Homogeneous large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer peristaltic actuator

  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A series of isometric, radially expanding tubular units, made of dielectric elastomer with compliant electrodes, constitute a soft linear peristaltic pump with distributed actuation for transport of incompressible fluids. Based on the Gent strain energy model, this paper theoretically analyzes the homogeneous large deformation of the peristaltic unit. We discuss the effects of axial prestretch on the actuation of the actuator. We then predict the maximum actuation strain of this actuator which is limited by dielectric strength of the polymer. The results presented here extend the previous study based on linear elasticity, and can predict the electromechanical behaviors of the novel actuator at large deformations.

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. Pelrine R, Kornbluh R, Pei Q B, et al. High-speed electrically actuated elastomers with strain greater than 100%. Science, 2000, 287: 836–839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Ha S M, Yuan W, Pei Q B, et al. Interpenetrating polymer networks for high-performance electroelastomer artificial muscles. Adv Mater, 2006, 18(7): 887–891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Shankar R, Ghosh T K, Spontak R J. Electroactive nanostructured polymers as tunable actuators. Adv Mater, 2007, 19(17): 2218–2223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Plante J S, Dubowsky S. large-scale failure modes of dielectric elastomer actuators. Int J Solids Struct, 2006, 43(25–26): 7727–7751

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. Kofod G. Dielectric elastomer actuators. Doctoral Dissertation. Denmark: The Technical University of Denmark, 2001

    Google Scholar 

  6. Carpi F, Bauer S, De Rossi D. Stretching dielectric elastomer performance. Science, 2010, 330(6012): 1759–1761

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Suo Z G, Zhao X, Greene W H. A nonlinear field theory of deformable dielectrics. J Mech Phys Solids, 2008, 56: 467–286

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  8. Suo Z G. Theory of dielectric elastomer. Acta Mech Solida Sin, 2010, 23(6): 549–578

    Google Scholar 

  9. Carpi F, Menon C, De Rossi D. Electroactive elastomeric actuator for all-polymer linear peristaltic pumps. Transactions on Mechatronics, 2010, 15(3): 460–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Carpi F, De Rossi D. Dielectric elastomer cylindrical actuators: electromechanical modelling and experimental evaluation. Mat Sci Eng C, 2004, 24(4): 555–562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Arora S, Ghosh T, Muth J. Dielectric elastomer based prototype fiber actuators. Sens Actuat A, 2007, 136: 321–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kofod G, Stoyanov H, Gerhard R. Multilayer coaxial fiber dielectric elastomers for actuation and sensing. Appl Phys A, 2011, 102: 577–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Cameron C G, Szabo J P, Johnstone S, et al. Linear actuation in coextruded dielectric elastomer tubes. Sens Actuat A, 2008, 147: 286–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhu J, Stoyanov H, Kofod G, et al. Large deformation and electromechanical instability of a dielectric elastomer tube actuator. J Appl Phys, 2010, 108: 074113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Koh S J A, Li T, Zhou J, et al. Mechanisms of large actuation strain in dielectric elastomers. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011, 49: 504–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhao X, Suo Z. Theory of dielectric elastomers capable of giant deformation of actuation. Phys Rev Lett, 2010, 104: 178302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gent A N. A new constitutive relation for rubber. Rubb Chem Tech, 1996, 69(1): 59–61

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  18. Zhu J, Cai S, Suo Z. Nonlinear oscillation of a dielectric elastomer balloon. Polym Int, 2010, 59: 378–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Zhou J, Hong W, Zhao X, et al. Propagation of instability in dielectric elastomers. Int J Solids Struct, 2008, 45: 3739–3750

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration and School of Aerospace, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    XiaoHong Wu, WenJie Sun & JinXiong Zhou

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

    Bo Li & HuaLing Chen

Authors
  1. XiaoHong Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. WenJie Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bo Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. HuaLing Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. JinXiong Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to JinXiong Zhou.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wu, X., Sun, W., Li, B. et al. Homogeneous large deformation analysis of a dielectric elastomer peristaltic actuator. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 55, 537–541 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4645-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4645-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation