TY - GEN
T1 - Prototyping and testing methods for electrostriction of actuators for a mesoscale compressor
AU - Trujillo, R.
AU - Mou, J.
AU - Phelan, P. E.
AU - Chau, D. S.
N1 - Funding Information:
One of the authors (P.E.P.) gratefully acknowledges the support of the National Science Foundation through an NSF CAREER Award (Grant No. CTS-9696003). The authors wish to thank David Wright for his assistance.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2000 by ASME
PY - 2000
Y1 - 2000
N2 - A design of a prototype mesoscale compressor using electrostriction of polymers as a way of actuation is described. In this application, electrostrictive polymers (EP) are squeezed and stretched by electrostatic forces generated by a high voltage applied via thin-film Au electrodes. This paper compares the results of several experiments performed on silicone materials based on Dow Corning Sylgard 182 and 184. The silicone films are prepared by mixing Sylgard 182 or 184 with curing agents in a weight ratio of 10:1. Some samples are tested in a flat configuration, while others are rolled together to form a tube actuator. This actuator is placed inside a glass tube and sealed on one end to form a mesoscale compressor. The tests on electrode thickness show that the thinner the electrode, the greater the displacement. Greater strain can be achieved by making thinner silicone films. The pressure achieved is only on the order of 1 kPa, but significantly greater pressures are anticipated if sealing losses can be reduced.
AB - A design of a prototype mesoscale compressor using electrostriction of polymers as a way of actuation is described. In this application, electrostrictive polymers (EP) are squeezed and stretched by electrostatic forces generated by a high voltage applied via thin-film Au electrodes. This paper compares the results of several experiments performed on silicone materials based on Dow Corning Sylgard 182 and 184. The silicone films are prepared by mixing Sylgard 182 or 184 with curing agents in a weight ratio of 10:1. Some samples are tested in a flat configuration, while others are rolled together to form a tube actuator. This actuator is placed inside a glass tube and sealed on one end to form a mesoscale compressor. The tests on electrode thickness show that the thinner the electrode, the greater the displacement. Greater strain can be achieved by making thinner silicone films. The pressure achieved is only on the order of 1 kPa, but significantly greater pressures are anticipated if sealing losses can be reduced.
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U2 - 10.1115/IMECE2000-1167
DO - 10.1115/IMECE2000-1167
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85119989758
T3 - ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE)
SP - 709
EP - 716
BT - Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
PB - American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
T2 - ASME 2000 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE 2000
Y2 - 5 November 2000 through 10 November 2000
ER -