Morphology Design Of Origami Structures By Utilizing Dielectric Elastomers

With the potential application of three-dimensional micro-nanostructures in biomedical sensing devices,microelectromechanical components,energy storage systems,etc.,origami structures based on dielectric elastomers have attracted more and more attentions of people from science and engineering communities.A considerable amount of research on origami folding and unfolding structures is currently achieved by dielectric elastomers(DE).With considerations of the electromechanical actuation coupling principle of DE material,the experiment is first utilized to verified its actuation effects,and then the theoretical calculation results as well as the simulations are introduced to explore the potential of DE material for morphology manipulation..Dielectric elastomer is an electroactive polymer with electromechanical actuation coupling effect.Low elastic modulus elastomer produces Maxwell stress at high voltage.Maxwell stress causes large deformation of dielectric elastomer,which may induce morphology changes in mesostrctures.The overall structure is deformed to achieve the purpose of modal regulation,wherein the applied electric field is coupled to the material to cause a mechanical response.In this paper,the mechanical-electric coupling characteristics of dielectric elastomers are verified by experiments,and theoretical analysis and simulation validations are presented as well.Then,the structure of the three-bridge segment and the table shape based on the mode control of the dielectric elastomer is designed to explore its application prospect and value.Through experiment verification,and utilizing finite element software to simulate and fit,the feasibility of modal regulation is explained.