Soft Dielectric Elastomer Switches
Artificial Muscle switches with no hard electrical components.
Dielectric Elastomer Switch technology uses soft, flexible, light weight and robust polymer materials to provide a means of sensing and control that eliminates external circuitry, markedly reducing cost, weight, volume and complexity of the system. This dielectric elastomer switch technology enables practical smart devices, particularly dielectric elastomer actuators and generator devices.
Networked actuators, sensors, assistive devices.
41543
PCT/NZ2013/000179
Dielectric elastomer switches reduce the need for bulky and rigid external circuitry as well as providing the simple distributed intelligence necessary for soft, biologically inspired networks of actuators. Examples include many-degree-of-freedom robotic hearts, intestines, and manipulators; wearable assistive devices; smart sensor skins and fabrics; and ultimately new types of artificial muscle embedded, electromechanical computers that provide industrial sensors and actuators with functionality akin to human reflexes.
31599
New Zealand
