Pressure sensor development based on Dielectric Electro Active Polymers

The Dielectric Electro Active Polymer´s (DEAP´s) sensing capabilities is one of the main trio-characteristics of the material applicable area´s, the trio-formations as applicable use are actuator, transducer and last but not least sensor. It is noted here that one of the main value propositions whenever DEAP material is used is the dual characteristics as the sensing/actuating capability. In the following work, the DEAP membrane will be modeled and the relation between the key variables (pressure & capacitance) will be determined. Hence, such a relation depends on the geometrical shape of the used membrane. So on, conceptualization is carried out to propose alternative solution for the sensor design using the DEAP and the laminate material. In general, the DEAP material has proven to be a very good sensor for pressure taking the advantage of flexibility, wide range of operation and last but not least the sensitivity. The theoretical model is benchmarked against the acquired data from the tests, good correlation has been recorded. The desired requirements for accuracy and measuring intervals are satisfied, showing a promising potentials for the DEAP material in pressure sensing in general, and pressure sensing application in specific.