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Soft Transducers with Dielectric Electroactive Polymer

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What are Soft Transducers?

Soft material-based devices, such as actuators and sensors, have been becoming the focus of attention in a variety of emerging applications. Dielectric elastomers and dielectric gels can play a key role as the main components in soft transducers thanks to their elasticity and softness. The shape change of dielectric elastomers and dielectric gels can be used to convert energy (e.g., from electrical to mechanical), leading to sustainability solutions, such as: 

  • Light weighting
  • Mechanical compliance
  • Design flexibility
  • Quietness


Potential applications of soft transducers include consumer electronics, transportation electronics, gaming, generators (energy harvesting), robotics, artificial muscles, infrastructure, mattresses, speakers, and electric toothbrushes.

Material comparison and Dow’s focus

Different materials have unique actuation and stress properties. Dielectric Electroactive Polymer (DEAP) offers differentiated, larger actuation strain.

ActuatorPower Density KW * kg-1Actuation EfficiencySize / em3Stress / MPsStrain / %Relative SpeedDesign Flexibility
DEAP10-2-100 ~0.9 ≥10-1 10-1-10010-1-102 FastGood
Hydraulic100-101>0.9 100-104100-10210-3-100MediumPoor
Pneumatic10-2-102~0.4100-104100-10110-1-100MediumPoor
Moving Coil 10-2-100~0.8101-10310-2100Medium-Fast Poor
Plezo100-106>0.8510-2-102100-10110-2-100FastFair
SMA10-2-101<0.1100-101102100SlowFair
IPMC10-4-10-2<0.1≥10-110-2-10-1100Slow-Medium Fair
Natural Muscle 10-1-100<0.7510-7-10-110-2-10-1101Medium-
  • Full frame of the textures formed by the bubbles and drops of oil in the shape of circle floating on a gray and yellow colors background - red texture

    Principle of Soft Actuator

    The simplest form of a DEAP-based soft actuator is a thin elastomer film sandwiched between two electrodes. Applying voltage on both sides of the elastomer film generates Maxwell pressure leading to an increase in area and a decrease in thickness. 

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  • Full frame of the textures formed by the bubbles and drops of oil in the shape of circle floating on a gray and yellow colors background - red texture

    Principle of Soft Sensor

    A DEAP-based soft sensor is considered a form of a force sensor. An elastomer film changes in capacitance when mechanically deformed. This capacitance change can be used to detect a different level of external force. 

    WATCH DEMO

    • Why Silicone-based Dielectric Electroactive Polymer (DEAP)?

    At the early stage of research and development, polyacrylate and polyurethane were popular materials used as DEAP. Recently, silicone has attracted a great deal of attention and presents the most promising material due to the following advantages:

    • Lower operational voltage 
    • Large motion 
    • Low viscoelasticity and faster response 
    • Durable, reliable and stable operation in harsh environments (high humidity, temperature, etc.) 
     

    Silicone 

    (high dielectric constant) 

    		Silicone (conventional) Polyurethane Polyacrylate 
    Dielectric ConstantExcellent FairExcellentGood
    Ease of Wetting FairFairExcellentExcellent
    Moisture Stability ExcellentExcellentPoorPoor
    Service Temperature ExcellentExcellentPoorPoor
    No Viscoelasticity  GoodExcellentFairPoor
    Response SpeedGoodExcellentFairPoor
    Tear Strength FairFairExcellentExcellent

    Dow’s technology and sustainability solutions

    Our deep knowledge and long experience in the field of dielectric elastomers and dielectric gels can accelerate your technology and product development with an enhancement of product performance. Silicone materials have been recognized to offer superior properties that are suited for soft transducers. We can tailor silicone-based dielectric elastomer and dielectric gel products for your specific application needs. In addition, Dow’s silicone and organic materials science offers complementary strength in advancing materials science for soft transducers as follows:

    • Polymer structure design and synthesis
    • Formulation and composite development
    • Mechanical and electrical properties optimization
    • Total solution offering:
      • Dielectric elastomers
      • Dielectric gels
      • Electrodes
      • Adhesives
      • Electrically conductive adhesives
      • Process support including thin film fabrication
      • Fundamental electromechanical performance evaluation 
    Dow ProductApplication Unique Feature
    ME-7540Electroactive elastomerHigh dielectric constant 
    SYLGARD 184Electroactive elastomer Quick response speed 
    ME-1800Electrically conductive adhesive High electrical conductivity 
    OS-20Diluent for DEAP or electrode printingIdeal for silicone dilution 
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    Providing best-in-class dielectric elastomer and dielectric gel products

    Dow’s material science expertise and sustainability solutions add more advantages to make widespread commercial use of soft transducers possible. 

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    Structure of soft actuator

    Where are Dow’s technology and products used?

    Full frame of the textures formed by the bubbles and drops of oil in the shape of circle floating on a gray and yellow colors background - red texture

    DEAP actuator fabrication process

    Soft transducers with silicone-based dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP). Example of fabrication process and assembled structure of the actuator with silicone DEAP film. 

    WATCH DEMO
    Full frame of the textures formed by the bubbles and drops of oil in the shape of circle floating on a gray and yellow colors background - red texture

    Lab movie (single layer actuator)

    Soft transducers with silicone-based dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP). Lab movie of the actual filming process. 

    WATCH DEMO
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    Dow paper on polymer testing

    Learn how the quality of silicone thin films becomes important in DEAP applications. 

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