@article{ZhuStoyanovKofodetal.2010, author = {Zhu, Jian and Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Kofod, Guggi and Suo, Zhigang}, title = {Large deformation and electromechanical instability of a dielectric elastomer tube actuator}, issn = {0021-8979}, doi = {10.1063/1.3490186}, year = {2010}, abstract = {This paper theoretically analyzes a dielectric elastomer tube actuator (DETA). Subject to a voltage difference between the inner and outer surfaces, the actuator reduces in thickness and expands in length, so that the same voltage will induce an even higher electric field. This positive feedback may cause the actuator to thin down drastically, resulting in electrical breakdown. We obtain an analytical solution of the actuator undergoing finite deformation when the elastomer obeys the neo-Hookean model. The critical strain of actuation is calculated in terms of various parameters of design. We also discuss the effect of the strain-stiffening on electromechanical behavior of DETAs by using the model of freely joined links. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3490186]}, language = {en} } @article{ZhuKolloscheLuetal.2012, author = {Zhu, Jian and Kollosche, Matthias and Lu, Tongqing and Kofod, Guggi and Suo, Zhigang}, title = {Two types of transitions to wrinkles in dielectric elastomers}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {8}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {34}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c2sm26034d}, pages = {8840 -- 8846}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A membrane of a dielectric elastomer coated with compliant electrodes may form wrinkles as the applied voltage is ramped up. We present a combination of experiment and theory to investigate the transition to wrinkles using a clamped membrane subject to a constant force and a voltage ramp. Two types of transitions are identified. In type-I transition, the voltage-stretch curve is N-shaped, and flat and wrinkled regions coexist in separate areas of the membrane. The type-I transition progresses by nucleation of small wrinkled regions, followed by the growth of the wrinkled regions at the expense of the flat regions, until the entire membrane is wrinkled. By contrast, in type-II transition, the voltage-stretch curve is monotonic, and the entire flat membrane becomes wrinkled with no nucleation barrier. The two types of transitions are analogous to the first and the second order phase transitions. While the type-I transition is accompanied by a jump in the vertical displacement, type-II transition is accompanied by a continuous change in the vertical displacement. Such transitions may enable applications in muscle-like actuation and energy harvesting, where large deformation and large energy of conversion are desired.}, language = {en} } @article{WacheMcCarthyRisseetal.2015, author = {Wache, Remi and McCarthy, Denis N. and Risse, Sebastian and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Rotary Motion Achieved by New Torsional Dielectric Elastomer Actuators Design}, series = {IEEE ASME transactions on mechatronics}, volume = {20}, journal = {IEEE ASME transactions on mechatronics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Inst. of Electr. and Electronics Engineers}, address = {Piscataway}, issn = {1083-4435}, doi = {10.1109/TMECH.2014.2301633}, pages = {975 -- 977}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This paper reports a new way to produce a rotation motion actuated by dielectric elastomer actuators. Two specific electrode designs have been developed and the rotation of the actuator centers has been demonstrated and measured. At low strains, the rotation shows a nearly quadratic dependence with the voltage. This behavior was used to compare the performances between the two proposed designs. Among the tested configurations, a maximal rotation of 10 degrees was achieved.}, language = {en} } @article{VukicevicVukovicStoyanovetal.2012, author = {Vukicevic, Radovan and Vukovic, Ivana and Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Korwitz, Andreas and Pospiech, Doris and Kofod, Guggi and Loos, Katja and ten Brinke, Gerrit and Beuermann, Sabine}, title = {Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes for the preparation of composites with improved conductivity}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {3}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, number = {8}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c2py20166f}, pages = {2261 -- 2265}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was functionalized with azide-terminated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). Functionalization was confirmed by dispersibility, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. Raman spectra show disordering of the SWCNTs, thus, strongly suggesting that PVDF was covalently attached to SWCNTs. Functionalized SWCNTs were mixed with commercially available PVDF in a twin-screw extruder and thin films were obtained by melt-pressing. Films containing 0.5 and 1 wt\% PVDF-functionalized SWCNTs exhibited significantly improved electrical conductivity compared to PVDF films containing pristine SWCNTs.}, language = {en} } @article{StoyanovMcCarthyKolloscheetal.2009, author = {Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Mc Carthy, Denis N. and Kollosche, Matthias and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Dielectric properties and electric breakdown strength of a subpercolative composite of carbon black in thermoplastic copolymer}, issn = {0003-6951}, doi = {10.1063/1.3154553}, year = {2009}, abstract = {We investigate the dielectric properties and electric breakdown strength of subpercolative composites of conductive carbon black particles in a rubber insulating matrix. A significant increase in the permittivity in the vicinity of the insulator to conductor transition was observed, with relatively low increases in dielectric loss; however, a rapid decrease in electric breakdown strength was inevitable. A steplike feature was ascribed to agglomeration effects. The low ultimate values of the electric field strength of such composites appear to prohibit practical use.}, language = {en} } @article{StoyanovKolloscheRisseetal.2013, author = {Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Kollosche, Matthias and Risse, Sebastian and Wache, Remi and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Soft conductive elastomer materials for stretchable electronics and voltage controlled artificial muscles}, series = {Advanced materials}, volume = {25}, journal = {Advanced materials}, number = {4}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {0935-9648}, doi = {10.1002/adma.201202728}, pages = {578 -- 583}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Block copolymer elastomer conductors (BEC) are mixtures of block copolymers grafted with conducting polymers, which are found to support very large strains, while retaining a high level of conductivity. These novel materials may find use in stretchable electronics. The use of BEC is demonstrated in a capacitive strain sensor and in an artificial muscle of the dielectric elastomer actuator type, supporting more than 100\% actuation strain and capacity strain sensitivity up to 300\%.}, language = {en} } @article{StoyanovKolloscheRisseetal.2011, author = {Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Kollosche, Matthias and Risse, Sebastian and McCarthy, Denis N. and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Elastic block copolymer nanocomposites with controlled interfacial interactions for artificial muscles with direct voltage control}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {7}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {1}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c0sm00715c}, pages = {194 -- 202}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Soft, physically crosslinking, block copolymer elastomers were filled with surface-treated nanoparticles, in order to evaluate the possibility for improvement of their properties when used as soft dielectric actuators. The nanoparticles led to improvements in dielectric properties, however they also reinforced the elastomer matrix. Comparing dielectric spectra of composites with untreated and surface-treated particles showed a measurable influence of the surface on the dielectric loss behaviour for high filler amounts, strongly indicating an improved host-guest interaction for the surface-treated particles. Breakdown strength was measured using a test bench and was found to be in good agreement with the results from the actuation measurements. Actuation responses predicted by a model for prestrained actuators agreed well with measurements up to a filler amount of 20\%(vol). Strong improvements in actuation behaviour were observed, with an optimum near 15\%(vol) nanoparticles, corresponding to a reduction in electrical field of 27\% for identical actuation strains. The use of physically crosslinking elastomer ensured the mechanical properties of the matrix elastomer were unchanged by nanoparticles effecting the crosslinking reaction, contrary to similar experiments performed with chemically crosslinking elastomers. This allows for a firm conclusion about the positive effects of surface-treated nanoparticles on actuation behavior.}, language = {en} } @article{StoyanovKolloscheMcCarthyetal.2010, author = {Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Kollosche, Matthias and McCarthy, Denis N. and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Molecular composites with enhanced energy density for electroactive polymers}, issn = {0959-9428}, doi = {10.1039/C0jm00519c}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Actuators based on soft dielectric elastomers deform due to electric field induced Maxwell's stress, interacting with the mechanical properties of the material. The relatively high operating voltages of such actuators can be reduced by increasing the permittivity of the active material, while maintaining the mechanical properties and high electrical breakdown strength. Approaches relying on the use of highly polarizable molecules or conjugated polymers have so far provided the best results, however it has been difficult to maintain high breakdown strengths. In this work, a new approach for increasing the electrostatic energy density of a soft polymer based on molecular composites is presented, relying on chemically grafting soft gel-state pi-conjugated conducting macromolecules (polyaniline (PANI)) to a flexible elastomer backbone SEBS-g-MA (poly-styrene-co-ethylene-co-butylene-co-styrene-g-maleic anhydride). The approach was found to result in composites of increased permittivity (470\% over the elastomer matrix) with hardly any reduction in breakdown strength (from 140 to 120 V mu m(-1)), resulting in a large increase in stored electrostatic energy. This led to an improvement in the measured electromechanical response as well as in the maximum actuation strain. A transition was observed when amounts of PANI exceeded 2 vol\%, which was ascribed to the exhaustion of the MA- functionality of the SEBS-g-MA. The transition led to drastic increases in permittivity and conductivity, and a sharp drop in electrical breakdown strength. Although the transition caused further improvement of the electromechanical response, the reduction in electrical breakdown strength caused a limitation of the maximum achievable actuation strain.}, language = {en} } @article{RisseKussmaulKruegeretal.2012, author = {Risse, Sebastian and Kussmaul, Bj{\"o}rn and Kr{\"u}ger, Hartmut and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {A versatile method for enhancement of electromechanical sensitivity of silicone elastomers}, series = {RSC Advances}, volume = {2}, journal = {RSC Advances}, number = {24}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2046-2069}, doi = {10.1039/c2ra21541a}, pages = {9029 -- 9035}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) draw their function from their dielectric and mechanical properties. The paper describes the fabrication and various properties of molecularly grafted silicone elastomer films. This was achieved by addition of high-dipole molecular co-substituents to off-the-shelf silicone elastomer kits, Elastosil RT 625 and Sylgard 184 by Wacker and Dow Corning, respectively. Strong push-pull dipoles were chemically grafted to both polymer networks during a one step film formation process. All manufactured films were characterized using (13) C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy, confirming a successful attachment of the dipoles to the silicone network. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed that grafted dipoles were distributed homogeneously throughout the material avoiding the formation of nano-scale aggregates. The permittivity increased with the amount of dipole at all frequencies, while the Young's modulus and electrical breakdown strength were reduced. Actuation strain measurements in the pure shear configuration independently confirmed the increase in electromechanical sensitivity. The ability to enhance electromechanical properties of off-the-shelf materials could strongly expand the range of actuator properties available to researchers and end-users.}, language = {en} } @article{RisseKussmaulKruegeretal.2012, author = {Risse, Sebastian and Kussmaul, Bjoern and Kr{\"u}ger, Hartmut and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Synergistic improvement of actuation properties with compatibilized high permittivity filler}, series = {Advanced functional materials}, volume = {22}, journal = {Advanced functional materials}, number = {18}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.201200320}, pages = {3958 -- 3962}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Electroactive polymers can be used for actuators with many desirable features, including high electromechanical energy density, low weight, compactness, direct voltage control, and complete silence during actuation. These features may enable personalized robotics with much higher ability to delicately manipulate their surroundings than can be achieved with currently available actuators; however, much work is still necessary to enhance the electroactive materials. Electric field-driven actuator materials are improved by an increase in permittivity and by a reduction in stiffness. Here, a synergistic enhancement method based on a macromolecular plasticizing filler molecule with a combination of both high dipole moment and compatibilizer moieties, synthesized to simultaneously ensure improvement of electromechanical properties and compatibility with the host matrix is presented. Measurements show an 85\% increase in permittivity combined with 290\% reduction in mechanical stiffness. NMR measurements confirm the structure of the filler while DSC measurements confirm that it is compatible with the host matrix at all the mixture ratios investigated. Actuation strain measurements in the pure shear configuration display an increase in sensitivity to the electrical field of more than 450\%, confirming that the filler molecule does not only improve dielectric and mechanical properties, it also leads to a synergistic enhancement of actuation properties by simple means.}, language = {en} } @article{McCarthyStoyanovRychkovetal.2012, author = {McCarthy, Denis N. and Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Rychkov, Dmitry and Ragusch, Huelya and Melzer, Michael and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Increased permittivity nanocomposite dielectrics by controlled interfacial interactions}, series = {Composites science and technology}, volume = {72}, journal = {Composites science and technology}, number = {6}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0266-3538}, doi = {10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.01.026}, pages = {731 -- 736}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The use of nanoparticles in polymer composite dielectrics has promised great improvements, but useful results have been elusive. Here, the importance of the interfacial interactions between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix are investigated in TiO2 nanocomposites for dielectric materials using surface functionalisation. The interface is observed to dominate the nanocomposite properties and leads to a threefold increase in permittivity at volume fractions as low as 10\%. Surface functionalisation of the filler nanoparticles with silanes allows control of this interface, avoiding significant degradation of the other important material properties, particularly electrical breakdown strength, and resulting in a material that is demonstrated successfully as an active material in a dielectric elastomer actuator application with increased work output compared to the pure polymer. Although further permittivity increases are observed when the interface regions have formed a percolation network, the other material properties deteriorate. The observation of percolation behaviour allows the interface thickness to be estimated.}, language = {en} } @article{McCarthyRisseKatekomoletal.2009, author = {Mc Carthy, Denis N. and Risse, Stefan and Katekomol, Phisan and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {The effect of dispersion on the increased relative permittivity of TiO2/SEBS composites}, issn = {0022-3727}, doi = {10.1088/0022-3727/42/14/145406}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Polymer composites are currently suggested for use as improved dielectric materials in many applications. Here, the effect of particle size and dispersion on the electrical properties of composites of rutile TiO2 and poly(styrene- ethylene-butadiene-styrene) (SEBS) are investigated. Both 15 and 300 nm particles are mixed with SEBS, with amounts of sorbitan monopalmitate surfactant from 0 to 3.3 vol\%, and their dielectric and mechanical properties are measured. Composites with the 300 nm TiO2 particles result in increases of 170\% in relative permittivity over the pure polymer, far above those predicted by standard theories, such as Bruggeman (140\%) and Yamada (114\%), and improving dispersion with surfactant has little effect. The composites with 15 nm particles showed surprisingly large relative permittivity increases (350\%), but improving the dispersion by the addition of any surfactant causes the relative permittivity to decrease to 240\% of the pure polymer value. We suggest that the increase is due to the formation of a highly conductive layer in the polymer around the TiO2 particles.}, language = {en} } @article{LaflammeKolloscheConnoretal.2013, author = {Laflamme, Simon and Kollosche, Matthias and Connor, Jerome J. and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Robust flexible capacitive surface sensor for structural health monitoring applications}, series = {Journal of engineering mechanics}, volume = {139}, journal = {Journal of engineering mechanics}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Society of Civil Engineers}, address = {Reston}, issn = {0733-9399}, doi = {10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0000530}, pages = {879 -- 885}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Early detection of possible defects in civil infrastructure is vital to ensuring timely maintenance and extending structure life expectancy. The authors recently proposed a novel method for structural health monitoring based on soft capacitors. The sensor consisted of an off-the-shelf flexible capacitor that could be easily deployed over large surfaces, the main advantages being cost-effectiveness, easy installation, and allowing simple signal processing. In this paper, a capacitive sensor with tailored mechanical and electrical properties is presented, resulting in greatly improved robustness while retaining measurement sensitivity. The sensor is fabricated from a thermoplastic elastomer mixed with titanium dioxide and sandwiched between conductive composite electrodes. Experimental verifications conducted on wood and concrete specimens demonstrate the improved robustness, as well as the ability of the sensing method to diagnose and locate strain.}, language = {en} } @article{LaflammeKolloscheConnoretal.2012, author = {Laflamme, S. and Kollosche, Matthias and Connor, Jerome J. and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Soft capacitive sensor for structural health monitoring of large-scale systems}, series = {Structural control \& health monitorin}, volume = {19}, journal = {Structural control \& health monitorin}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1545-2263}, doi = {10.1002/stc.426}, pages = {70 -- 81}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Structural integrity of infrastructures can be preserved if damage is diagnosed, localized, and repaired in time. During the past decade, there has been a considerable effort to automate the process of structural health monitoring, which is complicated by the inherent large size of civil structures. Hence, a need has arisen to develop new approaches that enable more effective health monitoring. In this paper, a new sensing technique for damage localization on large civil structures is proposed. Specifically, changes in strain are detected using a capacitance sensor built with a soft, stretchable dielectric polymer with attached stretchable metal film electrodes. A change in strain causes a measurable change in the capacitance of the sensor, which can be directly monitored when the sensor is fixed to a structure. The proposed method is shown here to permit an accurate detection of cracks. The proposed system deploys a layer of dielectric polymer on the surface of a structural element, and regularly monitors any change in capacitance, giving in turn information about the structural state. The smart material is composed of inexpensive silicone elastomers, which make the monitoring system a promising application for large surfaces. Results from tests conducted on small- scale specimens showed that the technology is capable of detecting cracks, and tests conducted on large- size specimens demonstrated that several sensor patches organized on a sensor sheet are capable of localizing a crack. The sensor strain also exhibits a high correlation with the loss of stiffness.}, language = {en} } @article{KussmaulRisseWegeneretal.2012, author = {Kussmaul, Bj{\"o}rn and Risse, Sebastian and Wegener, Michael and Kofod, Guggi and Kr{\"u}ger, Hartmut}, title = {Matrix stiffness dependent electro-mechanical response of dipole grafted silicones}, series = {Smart materials and structures}, volume = {21}, journal = {Smart materials and structures}, number = {6}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {0964-1726}, doi = {10.1088/0964-1726/21/6/064005}, pages = {6}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The properties of dielectric elastomer actuators can be optimized by modifying the dielectric or mechanical properties of the dielectric elastomer. This paper presents the simultaneous control of both dielectric and mechanical properties, in a silicone elastomer network comprising cross-linker, chains and grafted molecular dipoles. Chains with two different molecular weights were each combined with varying amounts of grafted dipole. Chemical and physical characterization showed that networks with stoichiometric control of cross-linking density and permittivity were obtained, and that longer chain lengths resulted in higher electrical field response due to the reduction in cross-linking density and correspondingly in mechanical stiffness. Both actuation sensitivities were enhanced by 6.3 and 4.6 times for the short and long chain matrix material, respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{KussmaulRisseKofodetal.2011, author = {Kussmaul, Bjoern and Risse, Sebastian and Kofod, Guggi and Wache, Remi and Wegener, Michael and McCarthy, Denis N. and Kr{\"u}ger, Hartmut and Gerhard, Reimund}, title = {Enhancement of dielectric permittivity and electromechanical response in silicone elastomers molecular grafting of organic dipoles to the macromolecular Network}, series = {Advanced functional materials}, volume = {21}, journal = {Advanced functional materials}, number = {23}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1616-301X}, doi = {10.1002/adfm.201100884}, pages = {4589 -- 4594}, year = {2011}, abstract = {A novel method is established for permittivity enhancement of a silicone matrix for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) by molecular level modifications of the elastomer matrix. A push-pull dipole is synthesized to be compatible with the silicone crosslinking chemistry, allowing for direct grafting to the crosslinker molecules in a one-step film formation process. This method prevents agglomeration and yields elastomer films that are homogeneous down to the molecular level. The dipole-to-silicone network grafting reaction is studied by FTIR. The chemical, thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of films with dipole contents ranging from 0 wt\% to 13.4 wt\% were thoroughly characterized. The grafting of dipoles modifies the relative permittivity and the stiffness, resulting in the actuation strain at a given electrical field being improved by a factor of six.}, language = {en} } @article{KolloscheZhuSuoetal.2012, author = {Kollosche, Matthias and Zhu, Jian and Suo, Zhigang and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Complex interplay of nonlinear processes in dielectric elastomers}, series = {Physical review : E, Statistical, nonlinear and soft matter physics}, volume = {85}, journal = {Physical review : E, Statistical, nonlinear and soft matter physics}, number = {5}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {1539-3755}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevE.85.051801}, pages = {4}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A combination of experiment and theory shows that dielectric elastomers exhibit complex interplay of nonlinear processes. Membranes of a dielectric elastomer are prepared in various states of prestretches by using rigid clamps and mechanical forces. Upon actuation by voltage, some membranes form wrinkles followed by snap-through instability, others form wrinkles without the snap-through instability, and still others fail by local instability without forming wrinkles. Membranes surviving these nonlinear processes are found to attain a constant dielectric strength, independent of the state of prestretches. Giant voltage-induced stretch of 3.6 is attained.}, language = {en} } @article{KolloscheStoyanovLaflammeetal.2011, author = {Kollosche, Matthias and Stoyanov, Hristiyan and Laflamme, Simon and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Strongly enhanced sensitivity in elastic capacitive strain sensors}, series = {Journal of materials chemistry}, volume = {21}, journal = {Journal of materials chemistry}, number = {23}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0959-9428}, doi = {10.1039/c0jm03786a}, pages = {8292 -- 8294}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Strain sensors based on dielectric elastomer capacitors function by the direct coupling of mechanical deformations with the capacitance. The coupling can be improved by enhancing the relative permittivity of the dielectric elastomer. Here, this is carried out through the grafting of conducting polymer (poly-aniline) to the elastomer backbone, leading to molecular composites. An enhancement in capacitance response of 46 times is observed. This could help to extend the possible range of miniaturization towards even smaller device features.}, language = {en} } @article{KolloscheKofodSuoetal.2015, author = {Kollosche, Matthias and Kofod, Guggi and Suo, Zhigang and Zhu, Jian}, title = {Temporal evolution and instability in a viscoelastic dielectric elastomer}, series = {Journal of the mechanics and physics of solids}, volume = {76}, journal = {Journal of the mechanics and physics of solids}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0022-5096}, doi = {10.1016/j.jmps.2014.11.013}, pages = {47 -- 64}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Dielectric elastomer transducers are being developed for applications in stretchable electronics, tunable optics, biomedical devices, and soft machines. These transducers exhibit highly nonlinear electromechanical behavior: a dielectric membrane under voltage can form wrinkles, undergo snap-through instability, and suffer electrical breakdown. We investigate temporal evolution and instability by conducting a large set of experiments under various prestretches and loading rates, and by developing a model that allows viscoelastic instability. We use the model to classify types of instability, and map the experimental observations according to prestretches and loading rates. The model describes the entire set of experimental observations. A new type of instability is discovered, which we call wrinkle-to-wrinkle transition. A flat membrane at a critical voltage forms wrinkles and then, at a second critical voltage, snaps into another state of winkles of a shorter wavelength. This study demonstrates that viscoelasticity is essential to the understanding of temporal evolution and instability of dielectric elastomers. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{KolloscheDoeringStumpeetal.2011, author = {Kollosche, Matthias and D{\"o}ring, Sebastian and Stumpe, Joachim and Kofod, Guggi}, title = {Voltage-controlled compression for period tuning of optical surface relief gratings}, series = {OPTICS LETTERS}, volume = {36}, journal = {OPTICS LETTERS}, number = {8}, publisher = {OPTICAL SOC AMER}, address = {WASHINGTON}, issn = {0146-9592}, pages = {1389 -- 1391}, year = {2011}, abstract = {This Letter reports on new methods and a consistent model for voltage tunable optical transmission gratings. Elastomeric gratings were molded from holographically written surface relief gratings in an azobenzene sol-gel material. These were placed on top of a transparent electroactive elastomeric substrate. Two different electro-active substrate elastomers were employed, with a large range of prestretches. A novel finite-deformation theory was found to match the device response excellently, without fitting parameters. The results clearly show that the grating underwent pure-shear deformation, and more surprisingly, that the mechanical properties of the electro-active substrate did not affect device actuation. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America}, language = {en} }