Dielectric Polymer with Designable Large Motion under Low Electric Field

Abstract Dielectric elastomers (DEs) can demonstrate fast and large in‐plane expansion/contraction due to electric field (e‐field)‐induced Maxwell stress. For robotic applications, it is often necessary that the in‐plane actuation is converted into out‐of‐plane motions with mechanical frames. Despite their performance appeal, their high driving e‐field (20–100 V µm −1 ) demands bulky power accessories and severely compromises their durability. Here, a dielectric polymer that can be programmed into diverse motions actuated under a low e‐field (2–10 V µm −1 ) is reported. The material is a crystalline dynamic covalent network that can be reconfigured into arbitrary 3D geometries. This gives rise to a geometric effect that markedly amplifies the actuation, leading to designable large motions when the dielectric polymer is heated above its melting temperature to become a DE. Additionally, the crystallization transition enables dynamic multimodal motions and active deployability. These attributes result in unique design versatility for soft robots.