ANALYSIS, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER TRANSDUCERS

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are rubbery stretchable capacitors that generate energy by converting its elastic strain energy into electrical energy. In this thesis, we address some of the practical implementation challenges of DEGs. To address the requirement of an external high voltage priming source, we develop two versions of hybrid piezoelectric-DEGs. We introduce a new deformation mode – the ripple, to achieve large operational strains in a constrained space. For the optimization of practical deformation modes of DEGs such as the ripple, we present an analytical framework to plot the operational limits of dielectric elastomers (DEs) subject to non-homogeneous deformation. To accurately predict the mechanical and electromechanical response of DEs, we use a molecular-based material model known as the Edward-Vilgis model. The analysis reveals new instabilities and provides insights for the material development of DEs with desirable properties.