Deformable dielectrics – optimization of heterogeneities

The modeling and the numerical simulation of deformable dielectrics are discussed in a coupled electro-mechanical framework. It is demonstrated how the Maxwell stress contributions can be implemented efficiently into a finite element method. By using numerical simulation, the electro-static contraction of a soft actuator is calculated and examined. The operational curve, i.e. the variation of the compression versus the applied electric field, is obtained for a capacitor-like setup using the neo-Hooke material model. Furthermore, the idea of introducing ceramic inclusions in the soft elastomer is discussed, which is shown to be capable of improving the efficiency of the actuator. By representative examples, the geometry optimization of the inclusion is considered.