Dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) is a kind of soft actuators that can produce significantly large electric-field induced
actuation strain and may be a basic unit of artificial muscles and robotic elements. Understanding strain development on
a pre-stretched sample at different regimes of electrical field is essential for potential applications. In this paper, we
report about ongoing work on determination of area strain using digital camera and image processing technique. The
setup, developed in house consists of low cost digital camera, data acquisition and image processing algorithm. Samples
have been prepared by biaxially stretched acrylic tape and supported between two cardboard frames. Carbon-grease has
been pasted on the both sides of the sample, which will be compliant with electric field induced large deformation.
Images have been grabbed before and after the application of high voltage. From incremental image area, strain has been
calculated as a function of applied voltage on a pre-stretched dielectric elastomer (DE) sample. Area strain has been
plotted with the applied voltage for different pre-stretched samples. Our study shows that the area strain exhibits
nonlinear relationship with applied voltage. For same voltage higher area strain has been generated on a sample having
higher pre-stretched value. Also our characterization matches well with previously published results which have been
done with costly video extensometer. The study may be helpful for the designers to fabricate the biaxial pre-stretched
planar actuator from similar kind of materials.
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