Review on instability of dielectric elastomer structures and devices subjected to electromechanical loading

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer (DE), as one typical soft electroactive material which processes the advantages including light weight, high energy density, high efficiency, low cost, quiet operation and so on. DE is widely used in the design and development of various transducers, such as smart actuators, sensors, generators, soft displays, soft robots and so on. In practical application, stability is a very important issue for the lifetime and performance of the DE structures and devices. In this paper, we summarize the modes of instabilities, the methods, and applications of the stability analysis of the DE structures and devices when subjected to electromechanical loading. The instabilities of DE structures and devices include pull-in/snap-through instability, buckle, and electro-cavitation. Moreover, the buckling behavior is introduced with film/substrate, membrane, and inflated diaphragm structures. We also discuss the challenges and further development of stability analysis. This paper may provide help in the design and development of novel DE structures and devices in the future.