Regensburg 2013 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 48: (Hydro)gels and Elastomers

CPP 48.9: Vortrag

Freitag, 15. März 2013, 11:45–12:00, H39

Large-strain detection using elastomeric sensors — •Tina Meißner, Matthias Kollosche, and Reimund Gerhard — Universität Potsdam, Institut für Physik und Astronomie, Potsdam, Germany

Electroactive polymers (EAP) and soft stretchable conductors have been studied extensively to develop voltage-tunable dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) that can achieve large deformations at low voltage. However, the advantages of this DEA technology can also be used for strain-sensing solutions. While conventional strain sensors, e.g. made of piezoelectric materials, are limited to strains not exceeding 2 to 3% due to their mechanical properties, elastomeric sensors are able to detect both small and large strains, up to 300%. Furthermore, they offer the advantages of high sensitivity in the low-stress regime, fast response times, low power consumption, and good weathering stability.

The proposed capacitive strain sensor consists of a dielectric elastomer film sandwiched between highly stretchable polymeric electrodes. Its functional principle is based upon the coupling between mechanical deformations and changes in the sensor's capacitance. We present experimental strategies to enable large reversible mechanical deformations as well as the use of ceramic/polymer nano-composites and molecular composites to adjust strain sensitivity and durability. One potential application is demonstrated on large-scale experiments: the sensor serving as a diagnostic tool for the structural health of infrastructural facilities.