Mechatronic system of dielectric elastomer actuators addressed by thin film photoconductors on plastic

We demonstrate the first mechatronic device made of an electro-active polymer (EAP) based actuator driven by a thin film photoconductive high voltage switch of amorphous silicon fabricated on a plastic film. The actuator is made of an elastomer dielectric that deforms and expands under high voltage. Its geometry is designed to linearly translate a lightweight rectangular block by the electrostatic expansion of the elastomer. The power supply is connected to the EAP through a photoconductor switch which is addressed and closed by illumination. We describe the configuration of the EAP actuator and the fabrication of the thin film photoconductor, and the electrical parameters and responses of the EAP/photoconductor system. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.