Electrode Free Elastomer Actuators With Unlimited Actuation Range

Elastomer actuators may be employed in micro-robotics, tactile and haptic interfaces, as well as in adaptive optical elements. Such actuators are sensitive to the pull-in electromechanical instability, limiting operational voltages and attainable deformations. Here we present electrode-free actuators driven by sprayed-on electrical charges, withstanding much higher voltages and deformations. The absence of electrodes allows for direct optical monitoring of the actuated elastomer, as well as for designing new 3D actuator configurations and adaptive optical elements.