The Smart Material Devices Lab focuses on the development of devices that utilize soft dielectric elastomers. This new type of material can undergo large strains as high as 300% when electric fields act across the thickness of the material. The electric fields create electrostatic compression causing a decrease in thickness and an increase in area. It is these strains that can be recruited for actuation purposes. Soft dielectric elastomers are attractive materials to consider for devices where weight is critical and high energy density is desired.

Due to increased development of smart dielectric elastomer actuators, there has been a demand for modeling the large nonlinear stress-strain response of these materials. In addressing this demand, finite element models are being developed using ABAQUS and NASTRAN. These models will be used to simulate device operations before fabrication as well as fascilitate design structures.

Current research efforts consists of the development of a low flow rate (10-100 ul/min) diaphragm pump for biomedical applications. Improvements in the mechanical properties of dielectric elastomers are also being investigated. In addition, fibrous sensing structures within the dielectric elastomer film are being considered to facilitate a closed-loop feedback control system for smart dielectric elastomer actuators.

Collaborations with academia and industry are highly welcomed.