18–22 Jun 2017
Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel
Europe/London timezone

Effect of Electrode Composition on the Partial Discharge Activity of a Pre-Stretched Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

20 Jun 2017, 13:30
1h 30m
Hall 4 / Cambridge (Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel)

Hall 4 / Cambridge

Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel

Board: 74
Poster Pulsed Power Physics and Technology, Components and HV Insulation Poster session II - Pulsed Power Physics and Technology, Components and HV Insulation

Speaker

Andrea Martinez (University at Buffalo, The State University of New York)

Description

Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs) are a class of electroactive polymers, materials which exhibit a mechanical strain as a response to an electrical stimulus, capable of achieving high actuation strains over 100 %. A key hindrance in the application of DEAs is their need for high voltage in order to actuate, leaving their operating range close to their breakdown range. Therefore, this work explores the analysis of partial discharge activity as a precursor to breakdown of DEAs. The voltage induced strain of a DEA is affected by their surrounding electrodes, which add stiffness to the system. The DEA may also be limited by electromechanical instability, a positive feedback loop caused by an increasing electric field and thinning elastomer, leading to electrical breakdown. Pre-stretching the elastomer results in the suppression of electromechanical instability. This paper presents a comparison of partial discharge and breakdown characteristics of a pre-stretched DEA based on electrode composition.

Primary authors

Dr Kevin Burke (University at Buffalo, The State University of New York) Akeem Francis (University at Buffalo) Jarrett Franklin (University at Buffalo, The State University of New York) Andrea Martinez (University at Buffalo, The State University of New York) Dr Jennifer Zirnheld (University at Buffalo, The State University of New York)

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