A new contractile linear actuator made of dielectric elastomers (Invited Paper)

Electromechanical devices made of dielectric elastomers represent today one of the most attractive and performing technologies within the field of electromechanical polymer actuation. We describe here a new configuration designed for monolithic dielectric elastomer actuators capable to show electrically activated linear contractions. Two helical electrodes integrated within the wall of an elastomeric hollow cylinder represent the core of the device, enabling the generation of active axial contractions and radial expansions. Detailed architecture, principle of operation and preliminary data on the performances of the new device are presented.