Lu, TongqingHuang, JiangshuiJordi, ChristaKovacs, GaborHuang, RuiClarke, DavidSuo, Zhigang2012-07-182012Lu, Tongqing, Jiangshui Huang, Christa Jordi, Gabor Kovacs, Rui Huang, David R. Clarke, and Zhigang Suo. 2012. Dielectric elastomer actuators under equal-biaxial forces, uniaxial forces, and uniaxial constraint of stiff fibers. Soft Matter 8(22): 6167-6173.1744-68481744-683Xhttp://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9275636A membrane of a dielectric elastomer deforms when a voltage is applied through its thickness. The achievable voltage-induced deformation is strongly affected by how mechanical loads are applied. Large voltage-induced deformation has been demonstrated for a membrane under equal-biaxial forces, but only small voltage-induced deformation has been observed for a membrane under a uniaxial force. This difference is interpreted here theoretically. The theory also predicts that, when the deformation of a membrane is constrained in one direction, a voltage applied through the thickness of the membrane can cause it to deform substantially in the other direction. Experiments are performed on membranes under equal-biaxial forces and uniaxial forces, as well as on fiber-constrained membranes of two types: a dielectric elastomer membrane with carbon fibers on both faces, and two dielectric elastomer membranes sandwiching nylon fibers. The experimental observations are compared with the theory.en-USdielectric elastomerfiber-constrainedunidirectional actuationsoft robotenergy harvestingJournal Article2012-07-1810.1039/c2sm25692d