A Concise Guide to Silicone-Based Spring-Roll Actuator Assembly

A spring-roll actuator is a multilayer configuration of dielectric elastomer actuators that deforms in response to an electric field. To date, all spring-roll actuators are based on acrylate dielectric elastomers (DEs), and a few can reach deformations on a par with strains observed in natural muscles. Sensitivity to temperature and humidity, as well as the slow response times of acrylates, limit the commercialisation of these actuators. In this work, we developed a spring-roll actuator using commercial silicone DEs because they allow for a broader range of processing temperature and rapid response. Electrodes were deposited on a pre-strained DE film, coated with functional organosilicone polymer composite, and rolled around a metal spring. The coating enhanced the interfacial adhesion between DE and compliant electrodes, preserving the integrity and electro-mechanical properties of the fabricated spring-roll actuator. As to performance, the silicone-based spring-roll actuator could bear 200 times its own weight and displace it by 6% at the applied electric field of 90 V/μm.