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Artificial muscles based on dielectric elastomer polymer materials are attractive for a wide range of applications due to their large active strains, and self-sensing ability.
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The Invention: Artificial muscles based on dielectric elastomer polymer materials are attractive for a wide range of applications due to their large active strains, self-sensing ability, flexibility and softness, low weight and volume, tolerance of harsh environments and other factors. Key aspects of the technology: The researchers developed suitable switching material to demonstrate the key aspects of self-sensing actuators and digital computation, namely compliant electromechanical logic gates and oscillator circuits. Potential uses: Dielectric elastomer switches reduce the need for bulky and rigid external circuitry as well as providing the simple distributed intelligence necessary for soft, biologically inspired networks of actuators.