LONDON: Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are smart material systems that are commonly used for building actuators or motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical work efficiently.
A kind of electro-active polymer, DEs have soft and lightweight properties. They are widely used for developing devices or gadgets such as robotic hands, soft robots, tunable lenses and pneumatic valves. Like human muscles, they can even go through active deformations on applying static or stable voltages to them. However, there is a limitation to this process. While stimulating the artificial joint motion by applying static voltage, the joints are able to bend but at fixed angles only. So, scientists studied the reactions of the joint by passing alternating voltages. Later, they found out that the joint can make more flexible bends by alternating them up and down, like a flapping wing.
