Snap-through actuation of thick-wall electroactive balloons

Solution to the problem of a spherical balloon made out of an electroactive polymer which is subjected to coupled mechanical and electrical excitations is determined. It is found that for certain material behaviors instabilities that correspond to abrupt changes in the balloon size can be triggered. This can be exploited to electrically control different actuation cycles as well as to use the balloon as a micropump. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.