We prepare a thin (~100 μm) silicone-based elastomer membrane and sputter ultra-thin copper electrodes (16-192 nm) onto each side of the film. Voltages of varying magnitude (1-8 kV) are applied to the electrodes causing an electrostatic pressure to develop which then compresses the elastomer in the through thickness direction. The edges of the membrane are constrained against in-plane expansion, forcing the membrane to deform out of plane. The in-plane strains developed by applying an electric field are characterized by measuring the stiffness of the membrane via indentation at different applied voltages. Closed-form solutions for membrane deflection are used with the experimental measurements to determine the relationship between the modulus of the cracked electrode/elastomer multi-layer and the electrically induced in-plane strain. Analytical models predicting the relationship between electrode crack spacing, layer properties, and effective modulus of the multi-layer are presented. Building on the knowledge gained from the membrane experiments, uni- axial tension specimens of an electrode/elastomer multi-layer are tested and preliminary results discussed.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.