Mrs. Karine Ariela Sacagiu-Luzon - M.Sc. Candidate
12/04/2026
אודיטוריום ע"ש דויד וואנג, בניין מידן, קומה 3
13:30
Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are soft polymer materials that can deform in response to electric excitation. This research focuses on the behavior of bi-layer DE beams comprising layers with different electro-mechanical properties. Due to the mismatch between the layers, when a voltage is applied, an electric field is generated, which results in the bending of the beam. First, a model is derived based on the moderate rotations theory, which is the extension of the linear elasticity model that accounts for moderate-to-large rotations and deflections, for the beam that is subjected to electro-mechanical load. The model shows that the response of the beam depends on the electro-mechanical properties of the layers. Validation of the model is simulated by focusing on free-standing beams that are subjected to two types of boundary conditions: (1) applying an electric field on both layers of the beam and (2) applying an electric field onto the top layer of the beam, while the bottom layer is passive and serves as an elastic constraint. The simulations are compared to finite element analysis to validate them. Demonstrations of the practicality of the DE bi-layers are shown, considering the properties of commonly used DEs and studying their performance in two types of applications- weight-lifting actuators and grippers. This research framework provides a fundamental understanding that enables designing electrically activated systems, including actuators and soft robotics.