Dielectric elastomer films with programmed deformation and multifunctionality enabled by patterned electrophoresis of magnetic additive.

Abstract

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are promising artificial muscles for soft robotics and wearable devices due to their large deformation, fast response, high energy density, and light weight. However, conventional DE films exhibit limited deformation modes and lack multifunctionalities. Passive layers, rigid constraints, or multilayered electrode patterning have been used to extend their deformation but often reduce actuation performance and increase structural complexity. Here, we develop patterned electrophoresis of magnetic additives to program deformations in monolithic DE films, achieving bending, twisting, and complex three-dimensional morphing while maintaining high actuation performance. The additives also endow the DE films with multifunctionalities, including magnetic response and electromagnetic wave shielding. By coupling programmed deformations with these functionalities, we demonstrate intelligent soft devices with new functions and controllability such as electric-magnetic co-driven actuation arrays and deformable electromagnetic metasurfaces. This strategy achieves programmable deformations and multifunctionalities in single-layer DE films, opening possibilities for advanced DE applications.