Abstract Dielectric elastomer-based soft machines have been widely applied to soft robots, energy harvesters, flexible electronics, etc. Conventional dielectric elastomer devices are actuated by non-transparent carbon paste electrodes or electronic conductors made of hard materials. Instead, the stretchable and transparent ionic conductors, with two soft materials combined, open the door to a unique way in the realization of soft machines. In this review, the recent progress on dielectric elastomer-based soft machines actuated by ionic conductors is summarized; several future research topics and perspectives with respect to this area are also suggested.
Key words: ionic conductor, dielectric elastomer, hydrogel, ionogel, soft machine.
Received: 24 December 2015
Published: 28 December 2015
2015, Vol. 36 
