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A Unidirectional Soft Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Enabled by Built-In Honeycomb Metastructures
Kun Liu1,2, Shitong Chen1,2, Feifei Chen1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
Polymers
|March 19, 2020
Summary
Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) can now achieve programmable, directional motion. Honeycomb metastructures enable this by converting expansion into specific deformation, overcoming isotropic limitations for soft robotics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) offer muscle-like large deformation capabilities for soft robotics.
- Isotropic material properties of DEAs limit programmable, directional actuation.
- Achieving controlled, unidirectional movement in DEAs remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for programming directional deformation in DEAs.
- To utilize honeycomb metastructures to induce anisotropy and control DEA movement.
- To investigate the influence of prestretch and structural design on voltage-induced deformation.
Main Methods:
- Harnessing honeycomb metastructures to impart anisotropy to DEAs.
- Developing a finite element analysis model to optimize prestretch ratios and structural design.
- Implementing a scalable fabrication technique using 3D printed thermoplastic polyurethane lattices on dielectric membranes.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that honeycomb metastructures enable directional deformation in DEAs.
- Achieved unidirectional motion with a nominal strain of up to 15.8%.
- Validated the effectiveness of the finite element analysis model in predicting deformation.
Conclusions:
- Honeycomb metastructures provide an effective strategy for programming DEA deformation.
- This approach overcomes the limitations of isotropic materials for controlled actuation.
- The developed method offers a scalable solution for creating directional DEAs for advanced soft robotic applications.
