Active Shape Control and Phase Coexistence of Dielectric Elastomer Membrane With Patterned Electrodes

Abstract

Various applications of dielectric elastomers (DEs) have been realized in recent years due to their lightweight, low cost, large actuation and fast response. In this paper, experiments and simulations are performed on the active shape control of DE structures with various two-dimensional patterned electrodes by applying voltage. A DE membrane with a pattern of electrodes is mounted on an air chamber. It is first inflated by air pressure and then further deformed by applying voltage, which actively controls the membrane shape. Under higher voltage, an acrylic membrane with larger actuation can induce shape instability and demonstrate multiphase coexistence behavior. In the framework of electromechanical theory, finite element simulations are carried out and the results are in good agreement with those obtained by experiments.