A DE capable of the high speed and high output required for driving robots and automobiles is still under study. Chiba et al succeeded in raising and lowering a 4kg weight by about 1mm at a speed of 97msec using a total DE weight of 0.98g last year. The DEA used a VHB4910 and SWCNTs. For the above purposes mentioned above, however, the current weight able to lifted is insufficient. We examined various elastomers (including materials newly developed) and various electrode materials, and we succeeded in lifting a weight of 8 kg quickly. We also considered the potential of this DEA as a drive source for electric vehicles and a potential for power generation from the vehicle’s movement.
A Mars airplane has been in development. This airplane requires lightweight and powerful actuators to fly in the rare Martian atmosphere. A dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is a possible candidate for the actuator controlling the airplane since it has high power, and high efficiency. A structural model of a wing having a control surface, a DEA, and a linkage was built and a wind tunnel test of a control surface actuation using a DE actuator was carried out. It is feasible to use the DEA for controlling the Mars airplane under wind speeds of 65m/s in the Martian atmosphere.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.