DowIcon_Default_EventsAsset 105 chart_icon form-checkmark form-radio__bullet cog icon profile-icon-header profile-locked-icon-header cart-icon-header region-icon-header nav_call home_sds homepage_hero_new--rollover list-bullet nav-close nav-close nav-hamburger nav-right-arrow--mobile nav_brochures nav_call nav_cart nav_case_studies nav_check_mark nav_close_x nav_common_questions nav_distributor nav_driving_directions nav_exclamation_point nav_external_links nav_find_formulations nav_find_products nav_info nav_learn_how_to_use nav_literature nav_lock nav_map nav_media_center nav_pdf nav_quick_checkout nav_read_latest_news nav_sample nav_selection_guides nav_tooltip nav_white_papers noav-icon-safe-handling-18x18 pdp-add_part_number pdp-arrow--left pdp-arrow--right pdp-box Funnel pdp-list_collapse pdp-list_expand Vector Smart Object12 Vector Smart Object12 pdp-shopping_cart s> social_facebook social_google social_linkedin social_pinterest social_rss social_twitter social_youtube utility-search utility-tooltip voc_icon > technical_content
[{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"BR","default":"pt-br"},{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"JP","default":"ja-jp"},{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"CN","default":"zh-cn"},{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"US","default":"en-us"},{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"ES","default":"es-es"},{"values":[{"value":"Português-Portuguese","languageCode":"pt-br","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"日本語-Japanese","languageCode":"ja-jp","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"中文-Chinese","languageCode":"zh-cn","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"English","languageCode":"en-us","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"Español-Spanish","languageCode":"es-es","link":"javascript:void(0);"},{"value":"한국어-Korean","languageCode":"ko-kr","link":"javascript:void(0);"}],"label":"KR","default":"ko-kr"}]
true

Soft Transducers with Dielectric Electroactive Polymer

Innovating Transducers with Soft Materials

What’s DEAP | Actuators & Sensors | Silicone-based DEAP | Structure of Soft Actuator

 

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 sustainable 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.

Stress properties table


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.

Principle of Soft Actuator


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.

Principle of Soft sensor


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:

Advantages:

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


Dow’s Technology and Sustainable 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's Product  Application   Unique feature
ME-7540 Electroactive elastomer High dielectric constant
SYLGARD 184 Electroactive elastomer Quick response speed
ME-1800 Electrically conductive adhesive High electrical conductivity
OS-20 Diluent for DEAP or electrode printing Ideal for silicone dilution

Providing our customers with best-in-class dielectric elastomer and dielectric gel products, Dow’s material science expertise and sustainable solutions add more advantages to make widespread commercial use of soft transducers possible. Contact us.
 

Structure of Soft Actuator

Where are Dow’s technology and products used?


Resource