Self-healing electrodes for dielectric elastomer actuators

A conductive, printable and stretchable composite based on 20 wt% reduced graphite nanoplatelets in silicone to be used as the electrode in dielectric elastomer actuators was developed. It has a sheet resistance of 0.1 k Omega square(-1) and a low modulus of elasticity. Additionally, it is able to self-heal the actuator after a breakdown and thus increases significantly its lifetime and reliability. Such an actuator can be operated repeatedly and reversibly at voltages below and above the voltage of the first breakdown. The actuator can suffer many breakdowns and is able to self-heal again and again without loss of performance.