Dielectric Elastomer Actuators with Ion Implanted Electrodes

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• Prof. Herbert R. Shea, Microsystems for Space Technologies Laboratory, EPFL, Switzerland
• Friday 23 October 2009, 14:00-15:00
• Kapitza Building Seminar Room, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact spl37.

Dielectric polymer actuators (often referred to as “artificial muscles”) require electrodes that conduct at strains of over 40% and that are not stiffer than the elastomer. On the macro-scale, such attributes are readily achieved with carbon powder electrodes. When shrinking polymer actuators to the micron scale however, a different solution is needed. We present a novel technique for making highly compliant electrodes on elastomers (PDMS) using low-energy metal ion-implantation. This technique forms nanometer scale metallic clusters up to 50 nm below the PDMS surface, creating an electrode that can sustain up to 175% strain while remaining conductive, yet having only a minimal impact on the elastomer’s mechanical properties. These electrodes are readily patterned on the μm scale by masking with patterned photoresist or laser-cut steel masks. They are stable in time (no resistivity or stiffness change over 2 years) and show only minor changes in electrical characteristics after 105 cycles of 30% strain. Using these ion-implanted compliant electrodes, we have microfabricated circular diaphragm actuator of diameter 1.5 to 3 mm, with voltage-controlled static out-of plane deflections of over 25% of their diameter, and response times faster than 1 ms. Lifetime tests have shown no degradation after more than 4 million cycles at 1.5 kV. Applications in tunable optics and cell manipulation will be presented. Finally a brief overview of our lab’s other activities will be given, in the field of MEMS for space (micro-propulsion and inertial sensing).

This talk is part of the Nanoscience Centre Seminar Series series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge Infectious Diseases
• Dobson Group - General Interest
• Kapitza Building Seminar Room, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics
• Nanoscience Centre Seminar Series
• School of Physical Sciences
• School of Technology

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