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Electrical and Mechanical Self‐Healing in High‐Performance Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Materials
Author(s) -
Zhang Yan,
Ellingford Christopher,
Zhang Runan,
Roscow James,
Hopkins Margaret,
Keogh Patrick,
McNally Tony,
Bowen Chris,
Wan Chaoying
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201808431
Subject(s) - materials science , elastomer , dielectric elastomers , actuator , artificial muscle , dielectric , soft robotics , composite material , thermoplastic elastomer , dielectric strength , mechanical energy , self healing , electrical breakdown , computer science , polymer , optoelectronics , copolymer , medicine , power (physics) , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence
Dielectric elastomers are of interest for actuator applications due to their large actuation strain, high bandwidth, high energy density, and their flexible nature. If future dielectric elastomers are to be used reliably in applications that include soft robotics, medical devices, artificial muscles, and electronic skins, there is a need to design devices that are tolerant to electrical and mechanical damage. In this paper, the first report of self‐healing of both electrical breakdown and mechanical damage in dielectric actuators using a thermoplastic methyl thioglycolate–modified styrene–butadiene–styrene (MGSBS) elastomer is provided. The self‐healing functions are examined from the material to device level by detailed examination of the healing process, and characterization of electrical properties and actuator response before and after healing. It is demonstrated that after dielectric breakdown, the initial dielectric strength can be recovered by up to 67%, and after mechanical damage, a 39% recovery can be achieved with no degradation of the strain–voltage response of the actuators. The elastomer can also heal a combination of mechanical and electrical failures. This work provides a route to create robust and damage tolerant dielectric elastomers for soft robotic and other applications related to actuator and energy‐harvesting systems.