Modeling of dielectric elastomers: Design of actuators and energy harvesting devices

Dielectric elastomers undergo large deformations in response to an electric field and consequently have attracted significant interest as electromechanical transducers. Applications of these materials include actuators capable of converting an applied electric field into mechanical motion and energy harvesting devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Numerically based design tools are needed to facilitate the development and optimization of these devices. In this paper, we report on our modeling capability for dielectric elastomers. We present the governing equations for the electromechanically coupled behavior of dielectric elastomers in a thermodynamic framework and discuss the attendant finite-element formulation and implementation, using a commercial finite-element code. We then utilize our simulation capability to design and optimize complex dielectric elastomeric actuators and energy harvesting devices in various settings.