High-strain actuator materials based on dielectric elastomers

Dielectric elastomers are a new class of actuator materials that exhibit excellent performance. The principle of operation, as well as methods to fabricate and test these elastomers, is summarized here. The Figure is a sketch of an elastomer film (light gray) stretched on a frame (black) and patterned with an electrode (mid-gray). Upon applying a voltage, the active portion of the elastomer expands and the strain can easily be measured optically.