Electric field modelling of DEAP material with compliant metal electrodes

Peng Wang, Richard W. Jones, Benny Lassen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The main failure mode for dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) materials is electrical breakdown and many factors influence its occurrence, for example impurities in the dielectric, the magnitude of the electric field and environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). The electrodes that sandwich the elastomer play a key role in the electromechanical strain performance of the DEAP. Compliant metal electrode technology achieves compliance in the DEAP material by using a corrugated electrode profile. The advantages of using compliant metal electrode technology include (a) excellent conductivity, (b) 'self-healing' capability when electrical breakdown takes place and (c) unidirectional motion of the material when a voltage is applied. In this contribution, the electric field and surface charge density characteristics of a compliant metal electrode-based DEAP material are investigated. The corrugation profile used in the material is sinusoidal with a maximum strain of 33%. Modelling the electric field and surface charge density in this DEAP material provides insight into the possible influence of electrodes with a corrugation profile on electrical breakdown behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationElectroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventElectroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010 - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 8 Mar 201011 Mar 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7642
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceElectroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/03/1011/03/10

Keywords

  • Compliant metal electrodes
  • Electric field
  • Electrical breakdown
  • Sinusoidal profile
  • Surface charge density

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