Dielectric elastomer using CNT as an electrode

Dielectric Elastomers (DE) can be excellent transducers for actuators, sensors and generators. Therefore, a lot of research on DE applications has been done. Actuators, sensors and generators for small devices will be coming to the market very soon. However, much of the market demand is for heavier applications such as DE power suits, DE motors, DE muscles for robots, and larger DE power systems. In order to meet such requirements, attempts have recently been made to use new carbon foam materials such as SWCNTs or MWCNTs as electrodes for DEs. As a result, using SWCNT electrodes, a DE actuator with only 0.96 g of DE material can easily lift a 41N weight. Furthermore, a transparent diaphragm actuator can be manufactured by using super purified SWCNTs. This paper shows that the performance of DE varies significantly depending on the type of electrode materials used. When carbon black, MWCNT and SWCNT were used as electrode materials for DE, we investigated how much weight could be lifted in each case. Assuming that the carbon black is 1, it is possible to lift a weight of about 2.2 times for SWCNTs. In addition, the difference in elongation due to the difference in electrode material is 1.7 to 2.2 times that of SWCNTs, although it depends on the frequency used. It has been also found that the use of higher crystalline SWCNTs and metal CNTs is more effective. Moreover, this paper discusses the application of DEs using CNT electrodes and the risk management when using CNTs.