Fault-tolerant dielectric elastomer actuators using single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes

Fault-tolerant actuators. Single-waited carbon nanotubes were studied as new compliant electrodes for dielectric elastomers. The spray-coated SWNT electrodes drive electromechanical strains greater than 200 %. When a fault is present due to pin puncture or internal defect in the elastomer films, dielectric breakdown causes localized self-clearing of the SWNT electrodes and isolation of the fault. The increased fault tolerance may enhance the actuation reliability of dielectric elastomers actuators.