Applications of High-Voltage Amplifiers in Dielectric Elastomers (Soft Robotics)

In recent years, soft robotics has become a hotspot in robotics research. Due to the variable degrees of freedom of soft materials, these robots offer extreme flexibility, excellent human-machine interaction, and safety. They address the limitations of traditional rigid robots, such as poor interactivity and narrow application ranges. Soft robots hold vast potential in medical, military, disaster relief, biomedicine, and home service fields.

As the name implies, soft robots are made of flexible materials with high plasticity and elasticity. One of the most critical components in their manufacturing is the high-voltage amplifier. Dielectric Elastomer (DE) is a type of Electroactive Polymer (EAP) that undergoes large deformation under external voltage excitation.

DE materials typically act as actuators in a sandwich structure. High-voltage amplifiers apply voltage to flexible electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces. The resulting electric field causes the accumulation of charges, creating electrostatic forces that compress the film's thickness and expand its area. Once the voltage is removed, the DE material returns to its original shape, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. Due to its fast response and high energy density, DE is widely used in soft robotics.

Wisman high-voltage amplifiers are frequently used in DE research. The AMW series offers a maximum power of 400W and output up to ±20kV. These amplifiers feature four-quadrant active output, allowing them to sink or source current into reactive or resistive loads throughout the voltage range. This is essential for achieving the high slew rates required by high-capacitance loads like DE actuators.

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