STIR: Toward Programmable Dielectric Elastomers for Actuation and Control
Abstract
This study involves the exploration of 3D printing dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) as a fundamental basis for electrical actuation and control. Soft robotics is an emerging field in which active biological systems can be mechanically approximated by active smart materials, enabling a synergistic integration between sophisticated external controls and bio-inspired actuation. Soft robots are designed to be entirely deformable, closely mimic biological motion, provide insight into biomechanical systems, and enable modes of actuation not feasible in traditional hard robotic systems. This renders soft robots as prime candidates for additive manufacturing using an extrusion-based 3Dprinter. At the fundamental materials level, a micron-scale resolution, multi-material 3D printer is capable of sandwiching polymers, hydrogels, and metallic nanoparticles with a complexity and density that cannot be accomplished with conventional two-dimensional techniques. By combining this approach with recent advances in the development of dielectric elastomer actuators, we will investigate 3D programmable dielectric elastomers for actuation and control. Specifically, here we focus on replacing the common electrode materials used for DEAs with ionic hydrogels, and 3D printing layered composites of conductive hydrogel/dielectric elastomer/conductive hydrogel to fabricate fully 3D printed soft actuators that generate bending motions due to electrical stimuli.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 30, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1063859
Entities
People
- Ghazaleh Haghiashtiani
- Michael McAlpine
Organizations
- University of Minnesota