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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Fabrication Process of Silicone-based Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Published on: February 1, 2016

Ultrasoft and fast self-healing poly(ionic liquid) electrode for dielectric elastomer actuators.

Hui Wang¹, Adit Gupta¹, Qiuchun Lu¹

¹School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.

Nature Communications

|August 11, 2025

Summary

Researchers developed a novel poly(ionic liquid) electrode for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). This electrode enables DEAs to achieve large strains and rapid self-healing, advancing soft robotics for harsh environments.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Robotics
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are promising for soft robotics due to large strains and fast response.
Current self-healing ionogel electrodes for DEAs have high elastic moduli, limiting performance and healing speed.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a self-healing electrode with an ultralow elastic modulus for enhanced DEA performance.
To investigate the self-healing capabilities of the new electrode in various conditions.

Main Methods:

Ionic interaction regulation was used to synthesize a poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) electrode.
The elastic modulus and self-healing properties (time and conditions) of the PIL electrode were characterized.
DEAs utilizing the PIL electrode were fabricated and tested for actuation strain and self-healing after damage.

Main Results:

A PIL electrode with an ultralow elastic modulus of 3.4 kPa was achieved.
Rapid self-healing within 10 seconds was demonstrated in both ambient and underwater conditions.
DEAs achieved a 63.2% area strain and maintained performance after self-healing, outperforming existing self-healing electrodes.

Conclusions:

The developed PIL electrode significantly enhances DEA performance, enabling large actuation strains and rapid self-healing.
The self-healing PIL electrode facilitates the fabrication of robust soft grippers for handling delicate objects in diverse environments.
This advancement supports the development of electrically driven soft robotics for exploration in harsh or underwater settings.