Article
Energy & Fuels
Jakub Bernat, Jakub Kolota
Summary: Dielectric electroactive polymers are widely used in smart materials applications due to their softness and responsiveness to electric stimuli, particularly in actuators. Research has been focused on improving the design of these actuators by modifying the bias mechanism or providing new configurations like double cones. This study analyzed the modification of actuator shape, using an elliptical shape to achieve a wider range of movement, with the new design and model of the device described and verified through measurements.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Jakub Bernat, Jakub Kolota, Piotr Gajewski, Agnieszka Marcinkowska
Summary: In this study, a novel bias configuration using magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) was developed to achieve a wide range of displacement in a dielectric elastomer actuator. The feasibility of using MRE as a bias for the actuator was verified through experiments, and the advantages and disadvantages of this new bias type were discussed.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Hong Wang, Liang Yang
Summary: In this study, the dielectric properties of electronic electroactive polymers (EEAP) were experimentally tested, and various factors such as frequency, voltage, electrode type, and specimen thickness were analyzed for their effects on the dielectric relaxation properties. Different models were used to accurately model the dielectric constants. The results showed that the dielectric constant of the polymer is strongly influenced by frequency, especially in the low frequency range. The use of G-C electrodes improved the electrical parameters of the polymer. The paper provides valuable reference for understanding the dielectric properties of polymers and their application in flexible robots.
Review
Engineering, Mechanical
Gianluca Rizzello
Summary: This paper provides an overview of cooperative actuator and sensor systems based on dielectric elastomer (DE) transducers. DEs, made of a flexible capacitor and a compliant electrode, can function as actuators or sensors. The unique features of DE technology, such as large deformation, high compliance, flexibility, energy efficiency, and low cost, make it attractive for mechatronic systems. By arranging several DEs in an array-like configuration, new applications and features can be achieved through synergistic operations. The paper reviews recent advances, discusses applications, and explores challenges and perspectives for future development of cooperative DE systems.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mohammadreza Lalegani Dezaki, Mahdi Bodaghi
Summary: Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) composite actuators have the advantages of remote control, swift movement, adaptation to rough surfaces, and secure interaction with humans. This paper proposes a new conceptual design for bi-stable MRE-based electroactive composite actuators with high performance by combining MRE composites and 4D printing of conductive shape memory polymers. Experimental results demonstrate the immense potential of the developed composite actuators as mechanical and biomedical devices.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Robotics
Ruiqian Wang, Chuang Zhang, Wenjun Tan, Jia Yang, Daojing Lin, Lianqing Liu
Summary: This article reports a miniature columnar dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) with multi-DOF actuation and sensing. The arrangement of the simulation electrodes on the actuator was optimized to achieve multi-DOF actuation, and the sensing electrodes were configured to provide real-time sensing of the actuator's deformation modes, direction, and quantity.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Jakob-Anhtu Tran, Jeppe Madsen, Anne Ladegaard Skov
Summary: A method for producing vinyl functional polyrotaxane cross-linkers compatible with polysiloxanes has been presented, allowing for the fabrication of highly extensible silicone films with favorable dielectric properties. These novel cross-linkers provide a robust platform for producing a new class of sliding silicone elastomers with well-defined network structures.
BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hong Wang, Liang Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the actuation performance of cone dielectric elastomer actuator and found that the output displacement and force of DEA increase with the increase of loading voltage and additional load. The design with different domain ratios is a key factor that influences the performance of DEA actuator.
NANOTECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chuang Wu, Huan Yan, Anjiang Cai, Chongjing Cao
Summary: This paper proposes a novel vibro-impact crawling robot driven by a dielectric elastomer actuator. The robot eliminates the anchoring mechanisms or tilted bristles in conventional crawling robots, reducing complexity and improving adaptability. A comprehensive experimental approach is adopted to characterize the robot's performance and investigate the fundamental mechanisms of vibro-impact crawling locomotion. The robot demonstrates bidirectional motion, with a maximum forward velocity of 21.4 mm/s, a backward velocity of 16.9 mm/s, and a load carrying capacity of 9.5 g.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Jakub Bernat, Jakub Kolota
Summary: This paper introduces a simple control method for DEAP actuators based on the ADRC structure, which improves control system stability and performance through the identification of actuator model parameters and real-time compensation of disturbance effects.
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Yue Wang, Xiuyu Zhang, Zhi Li, Xinkai Chen, Chun-Yi Su
Summary: This article proposes a butterfly-like hysteresis model and a neural network based adaptive implicit inverse control scheme for describing and controlling butterfly-like hysteresis. The effectiveness of the proposed modeling and control methods is validated experimentally.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
Ardi Wiranata, Makoto Kanno, Naoki Chiya, Hozuma Okabe, Tatsuhiro Horii, Toshinori Fujie, Naoki Hosoya, Shingo Maeda
Summary: To increase safety and reduce costs, DEAs should operate at low voltages. One strategy to achieve this is by reducing the thickness of the dielectric elastomer membrane. This research demonstrates DEAs with nanometric uniform thickness that can operate at low voltages and high frequencies.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yi Liu, Pingli Wang, Yongri Liang
Summary: In this study, the bending actuation mechanism and electromechanical properties of nanostructured dielectric poly (styrene-b-(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-styrene)/white mineral oil (SEBS/WO) blend films were investigated. It was found that the structure of the films underwent a phase transition when the WO content exceeded 17 wt%. The modulus and polystyrene domain radius decreased with an increase in WO content. The bending displacement of the films showed a linear relationship with the applied electric voltage, while the bending force showed a linear relationship with the inverse of the PS domain radius. These findings provide new insights for the development of nanostructured electroactive elastomers for applications in soft actuator materials.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Jakub Bernat, Jakub Kolota
Summary: Dielectric electroactive polymer actuators are important transducers in control system applications, and designing high-performance controllers for them is challenging. This study focused on studying a PI controller for such actuators and analyzing the pole placement problem for a closed-loop system with the PI controller. The limitations of a PI controller in pole placement were discussed, with the obtained analytic PI controller gain rules allowing for potential extension to adaptive control. Additionally, robust adaptive control was applied to minimize the impact of unmodeled dynamics, with analysis conducted through simulations and experiments.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jakub Bernat, Piotr Gajewski, Jakub Kolota, Agnieszka Marcinkowska
Summary: This article provides an overview of the methods used to produce dielectric electroactive actuator membranes and presents experimental studies on two types of addition silicone. The results show the performance and characteristics of actuators with different thicknesses of active membranes and compare their responses to different voltage excitations.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Christopher Walker, Samuel Rosset, Iain Anderson
Summary: The growing popularity of wearable electronics has led to extensive research in soft and flexible strain sensors. This paper introduces a wireless method to connect wearable strain sensors to electronics and investigates its impact on sensor sensitivity and measurement methods.
SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Aicha Amior, Hamid Satha, Fouad Laoutid, Antoniya Toncheva, Philippe Dubois
Summary: Due to their natural availability, renewability, biodegradability, nontoxicity, light weight, and relatively low cost, natural fibers, especially lignocellulosic fibers, are attractive potential substitutes for non-eco-friendly synthetic fibers. In this study, Ziziphus jujuba fibers with low lignin content were used as an alternative renewable resource for the production of cellulosic fibers with suitable characteristics and minimal energy consumption. The efficient removal of noncellulosic compounds resulted in an increase in crystallinity index and higher surface area of the fibers, making Ziziphus jujuba fibers a suitable sustainable source for the production of cellulosic fibers.
Article
Polymer Science
Marius Murariu, Yoann Paint, Oltea Murariu, Fouad Laoutid, Philippe Dubois
Summary: Polypropylene (PP) filled with CaSO4 beta-anhydrite II (AII) from natural gypsum was studied for high-performance composites. The addition of zinc diacrylate (ZnDA) improved the thermal and mechanical properties of PP-AII composites. The composites also showed improved elastic behavior and heat deflection temperature. Reactive extrusion (REx) on twin-screw extruders was used for large-scale production and performance evaluation.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fouad Laoutid, Maryam Jouyandeh, Oltea Murariu, Henri Vahabi, Mohammad Reza Saeb, Loic Brison, Marius Murariu, Philippe Dubois
Summary: This study investigated the flame-retardant effect of transparent epoxy coating with aluminum hypophosphite nanoparticles on polylactic acid sheets. The addition of these nanoparticles into the epoxy resin accelerated the degradation of the coating, resulting in increased char residue. The presence of the nanoparticles reduced the peak heat release rate significantly, leading to the formation of a homogeneous char layer with a 15 wt.% nanoparticle content. However, further increase in content did not enhance the flame-retardant properties due to the formation of structural cracks in the coating.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Giulio Grasso, Samuel Rosset, Herbert Shea
Summary: Integrating rich cutaneous haptic feedback enhances realism and user immersion in virtual and augmented reality settings. This study develops a thin, stretchable, and fully printed Hydraulically Amplified Taxels (HAXELs) to provide accurately localized cutaneous stimuli on fingertips without interfering with the user's dexterity. The HAXELs are directly bonded to the user's skin and can be fabricated in dense arrays with no crosstalk, allowing tailoring dense and effective cutaneous haptics to the unique shape of each user.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Smith, Vito Cacucciolo, Herbert Shea
Summary: Incorporating pressurized fluidic circuits into textiles allows for convenient wearable devices with features such as muscular support, thermoregulation, and haptic feedback. We present fluidic pumps in the form of stretchable fibers, allowing pressure sources to be integrated directly into textiles, enabling untethered wearable fluidics. These pumps consist of continuous helical electrodes embedded within the walls of thin elastomer tubing and generate pressure silently through charge-injection electrohydrodynamics. Each meter of fiber generates 100 kilopascals of pressure, with flow rates approaching 55 milliliters per minute, equivalent to a power density of 15 watts per kilogram. The design freedom offered by this technology is demonstrated through wearable haptics, mechanically active fabrics, and thermoregulatory textiles.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Vesna Bacheva, Amir Firouzeh, Edouard Leroy, Aiste Balciunaite, Diana Davila, Israel Gabay, Federico Paratore, Moran Bercovici, Herbert Shea, Govind Kaigala
Summary: The current method for controlling high-voltage actuator arrays is expensive and relies on microelectronic processes or individual wiring. This study proposes an alternative approach using on-chip photoconductive switches and a light projection system for individual control of high-voltage actuators. The switches, made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, are robust and can be integrated into different architectures for AC and DC-driven actuators.
MICROSYSTEMS & NANOENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Edouard Leroy, Herbert Shea
Summary: Flexible HAXEL arrays can mechanically stimulate touch receptors, providing a fully immersive and highly realistic virtual reality experience.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jianan Yi, Frank Babick, Carsten Strobel, Samuel Rosset, Luca Ciarella, Dmitry Borin, Katherine Wilson, Iain Anderson, Andreas Richter, E. -F. Markus Henke
Summary: In this study, multiple carbon black inks were developed and tested as inkjet-printed electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). A new ink recipe was disclosed, which achieved stable drop formations with a small nozzle and high resolution, and obtained the largest area strain of DEAs under similar conditions.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amir Firouzeh, Ayana Mizutani, Jonas Groten, Martin Zirkl, Herbert Shea
Summary: This paper introduces PopTouch, a flexible haptic display that creates pressable physical buttons on demand. It can be mounted on touchscreens or any other smooth surface, and offers intuitive mechanical feedback through hydraulically amplified electrostatic zipping taxels. PopTouch adds static and vibrating button-like haptics to any device with its thin profile and low power consumption.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Christopher R. Walker, Dula Nad, Derek W. Orbaugh Antillon, Igor Kvasic, Samuel Rosset, Nikola Miskovic, Iain A. Anderson
Summary: Despite the popularity of the buddy system, scuba diving still has significant risks, with a high number of deaths per year. This article suggests a possible solution to the problem by using a dedicated autonomous dive-buddy robot that can also function as an assistant. The challenge lies in how to enable communication and interaction between the diver and the robot in underwater conditions with low visibility. The proposed technological solution involves a smart dive glove that captures finger and hand motions, allowing the diver to send gesture-based commands to the robot.
IEEE JOURNAL OF OCEANIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sylvain Schaller, Herbert Shea
Summary: Electro-adhesion is a versatile method of electrically-controlled adhesion that works on both conductive and insulating objects. A new method is presented to compare the attachment and detachment forces of electro-adhesion before and after contact, revealing the role of surface forces, charge injection, and polarization inertia. The time-dependence of these forces is investigated, showing that AC drive allows for faster detachment than DC operation. The methodology allows for standardized characterization of electro-adhesion while varying multiple parameters.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Bettina Fasolt, Fabio Beco Albuquerque, Jonas Hubertus, Guenter Schultes, Herbert Shea, Stefan Seelecke
Summary: This paper presents a comprehensive study on the electrical breakdown behavior of thin silicone films coated with electrodes manufactured by five different methods. The study analyzes the impact of environmental conditions, electrode manufacturing methods, and film parameters on breakdown behavior. The results show that the breakdown field increases with increasing temperature and decreases with increasing humidity.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jianan Yi, Frank Babick, Carsten Strobel, Samuel Rosset, Luca Ciarella, Dmitry Borin, Katherine Wilson, Iain Anderson, Andreas Richter, E. -F. Markus Henke
Summary: Multiple carbon black (CB) inks were developed and tested as inkjet-printed electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs), achieving an area strain of 80.63%. The novelty of this study lies in the disclosure of a new ink recipe that allows for stable drop formations with a small nozzle, high resolution, and the largest area strain among similar works, which is important for the fabrication and miniaturization of DEA-based soft and stretchable electronics.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Derek W. Orbaugh Antillon, Christopher R. Walker, Samuel Rosset, Iain A. Anderson
Summary: A smart dive glove has been developed to recognize 13 hand gestures used in diving communication. Different classification algorithms were trained and evaluated, showing good performance in a dry environment but decreasing underwater, especially when divers need to focus on other tasks.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NEURAL NETWORKS AND LEARNING SYSTEMS
(2023)
