Fabrication of Polyurethane Dielectric Actuators

Abstract : This paper provides a summary of a 3-year Technology Investment Fund Project entitled Dielectric Polymer Actuators for Active/Passive Vibration Isolation, which was completed in March 2005. The purpose of this project was to investigate dielectric polymer materials for potential use in active/passive vibration isolation. Work was carried out mainly at DRDC Atlantic, Bodycote Materials Testing Canada, Royal Military College, and Martec Limited. Major accomplishments of the TIF project included development of a fabrication method for producing spray-cast rolled dielectric actuators; a proof of concept study to produce hollow fibre actuators; a comprehensive study of the effect of high permittivity and conductive fillers on actuator performance; and the implementation of electric field induced forces into the VAST finite element program, thus enabling this code to contribute to the development of devices and systems based on dielectric polymer actuators.