Method to analyze electromechanical stability of dielectric elastomers
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Subject to an electric voltage, a layer of a dielectric elastomer reduces its thickness, so that the voltage induces a high electric field. The positive feedback may cause the elastomer to thin down drastically, resulting in an electrical breakdown. The authors show that the electromechanical instability occurs when the Hessian of the free-energy function ceases to be positive definite. Their calculation shows that the stability of the actuator is markedly enhanced by prestresses, agreeing with existing experimental observations.
Source: Applied Physics Letters
DOI: 10.1063/1.2768641
Authors: Xuanhe Zhao, Zhigang Suo
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2124076764