Session: VIB-02-01: Dynamics of Soft Media and Robotics

Paper Number: 97969

97969 - Nonlinear Vibration of Dielectric Elastomer Membranes Excited by Small Nominal Voltages With Large Fluctuations 

This work analyzes the vibrations of circular dielectric elastomer membranes that have low nominal voltages with large superposed sinusoidal fluctuations. Because the nominal voltages are low, the membrane has only one equilibrium stretch with no possibility of experiencing snap-though. The dynamic stretches therefore can be extremely large near resonances, and are limited only by the locking stretch of the elastomer. The frequency response transitions from softening nonlinearity at moderate stretches to hardening nonlinearity at large stretches. Two types of atypical frequency response are demonstrated. First, for moderate-amplitude voltage fluctuations, three steady-state vibrations are possible within a frequency band near resonance. These correspond to small, moderate, and extreme dynamic stretches that are nearly sinusoidal. Second, for large-amplitude voltage fluctuations, a frequency band occurs near resonance where only one steady-state vibration is possible, and this vibration corresponds to extreme dynamic stretches. Immediately above and below this band are regions where two steady-state vibrations are possible. One steady-state vibration in each of these regions corresponds to extreme stretches. Because of these unique steady-state solutions near resonance, new atypical jump-phenomenon may occur during frequency sweeps through resonance. The nonlinear vibration behavior demonstrated in this paper may be leveraged for improved performance in applications like resonators, energy harvesters, actuators, and sensors.

Presenting Author: Christopher Cooley Oakland University

Presenting Author Biography: Chris Cooley is an assistant professor at Oakland University. His research interests are in dynamics and vibration of soft electroactive materials.

Authors:

Christopher Cooley Oakland University
Robert Lowe University of Dayton