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Soft Transducers with Dielectric Electroactive Polymer
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.
| Actuator | Power Density KW * kg-1 | Actuation Efficiency | Size / em3 | Stress / MPs | Strain / % | Relative Speed | Design Flexibility |
| DEAP | 10-2-100 | ~0.9 | ≥10-1 | 10-1-100 | 10-1-102 | Fast | Good |
| Hydraulic | 100-101 | >0.9 | 100-104 | 100-102 | 10-3-100 | Medium | Poor |
| Pneumatic | 10-2-102 | ~0.4 | 100-104 | 100-101 | 10-1-100 | Medium | Poor |
| Moving Coil | 10-2-100 | ~0.8 | 101-103 | 10-2 | 100 | Medium-Fast | Poor |
| Plezo | 100-106 | >0.85 | 10-2-102 | 100-101 | 10-2-100 | Fast | Fair |
| SMA | 10-2-101 | <0.1 | 100-101 | 102 | 100 | Slow | Fair |
| IPMC | 10-4-10-2 | <0.1 | ≥10-1 | 10-2-10-1 | 100 | Slow-Medium | Fair |
| Natural Muscle | 10-1-100 | <0.75 | 10-7-10-1 | 10-2-10-1 | 101 | Medium | - |
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 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.
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 Constant | Excellent | Fair | Excellent | Good |
| Ease of Wetting | Fair | Fair | Excellent | Excellent |
| Moisture Stability | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Service Temperature | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| No Viscoelasticity | Good | Excellent | Fair | Poor |
| Response Speed | Good | Excellent | Fair | Poor |
| Tear Strength | Fair | Fair | Excellent | Excellent |
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 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 |
Structure of soft actuator
Where are Dow’s technology and products used?
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.
Lab movie (single layer actuator)
Soft transducers with silicone-based dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP). Lab movie of the actual filming process.
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