A model of the electrodynamic field distribution for optimized electrode design for dielectric electroactive polymer transducers

Dielectric electroactive polymers belong to a new class of smart materials, whose functional principle is based on electrostatic forces. They can either be used as actuators to provide considerable stretch ratios or as generators to convert mechanical strain energy into electrical energy based on an electrostatic energy converter concept. Since the polymer material and also the covering compliant electrodes have non-ideal electrical properties, such as, respectively, finite resistivity and conductivity, design rules are usually required to optimize the devices. The electrode conductivity combined with the polymer resistivity causes a voltage drop along the electrode surface, resulting in a reduced actuation strain or energy conversion. To minimize its parasitic effects, the influence of this effect is studied, firstly, for the transient and steady state behavior and, secondly, in order to derive design rules for the optimal placement of electrode contacts.