Experimental Electro-Mechanics of Dielectric Elastomers

该奖项的研究目标是建立绝缘击穿和弹性体材料的电场诱导变形之间的相互关系。不可分割的研究目标将量化的作用，以及电场诱导的机械定位所产生的导电纤维和电极的几何形状的缺陷。该方法将在很大程度上是实验性的，直接测量由预应变和施加电压产生的变形场，用于不同的纤维电极布置和各种设备的几何形状。观测结果将与基于变形阻尼器非线性机电耦合理论的建模研究进行比较和补充。如果成功，这项研究的好处将包括在工程应用中使用介电弹性体的简化设计，包括能量收集设备，线性致动器和显示器。 该项目还将有助于哈佛现有的外展计划，包括本科生研究和当地高中外展，其他社区外展计划。

The research objective of this award is to establish the inter-relationship between dielectric breakdown and electric-field induced deformation of elastomeric materials. Integral to the research objective will be quantifying the role of defects as well as electric-field induced mechanical localization produced by conducting fibers and electrode geometry. The approach will be largely experimental with direct measurements of the deformation fields produced by pre-straining and applied voltages for different fiber electrode arrangements and for a variety of device geometries. The observations will be compared with and complemented by modeling studies based on theories of nonlinear electro-mechanical coupling of deformable dielectrics. Together, these will be used to design and construct proof-of-concept electrically controlled devices capable of extreme strains.If successful, the benefits of this research will include simplified designs for utilizing dielectric elastomers in engineering applications including energy harvesting devices, linear actuators and displays. The project will also contribute to Harvard's existing outreach programs involving undergraduate research and local high-school outreach, other community outreach programs.