DEA Self-discharge Characterization for Low Duty Cycle Applications

This publication presents the characterization of self discharging Dielectric Elastomer Actuators (DEAs) in order to give place to low duty cycle applications, during which a DEA must remain actuated for long periods of time. DEAs typically present a low capacitance (< 1μF) and high leakage resistance (> 1GΩ), and require high voltages (> 5kV ) to be actuated. These characteristics induce a fast self discharging time, which is accentuated by the fact that a high impedance probe of 10 GOhm could be required to measure the voltage across the DEA. The considered DEA model includes the most critical elements taking part in the self discharge; namely the resistance of the dielectric layer, RDEA. Finally, a planar DEA is charged to 6 kV, the self discharging time is first measured using a high impedance probe and then compared to self discharge measurements obtained by observing the change in deformation of the DEA.