Abstract
A simple dip-coating technique was employed to manufacture coaxial actuators with multiple layers of alternating dielectric and conducting layers. A thin rubber string was coated with an electrode–insulator–electrode structure, giving rise to a thin, fiber-like actuator with coaxial geometry. The process was repeated to achieve a compact multilayer actuator with up to three coaxial dielectric layers. Mechanical and electromechanical characterization of the actuators is presented, showing actuation strains up to 8% and proper voltage–thickness scaling behavior. Also presented is a capacitance vs. extension plot, demonstrating that these structures can be used for compact and accurate capacitive strain sensing.
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Kofod, G., Stoyanov, H. & Gerhard, R. Multilayer coaxial fiber dielectric elastomers for actuation and sensing. Appl. Phys. A 102, 577–581 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-6066-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-6066-5