Publications - Mulitphysic Simulation & Optimization Lab

19274/PI/14 21996/PI/22 Analysis Applied Mathematics Computational Mathematics Computational Mechanics Computational Theory and Mathematics Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design Computer Science Applications Control and Optimization Control and Systems Engineering DICOPMA Dielectric elastomer Dielectric elastomers Electro-active polymer Energy–momentum scheme Evolutionary topology optimization Fail-safe design Finite element method General Engineering General Mathematics Mechanical Engineering Nonlinear electro-elasticity Numerical Analysis Ocean Engineering PID2022-141957OA-C22 Polyconvexity Rank-one laminates Software Topology optimisation 
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2025
 Pattinson, Rollo;  Ellmer, Nathan;  Hossain, Mokarram;  Ortigosa, Rogelio;  Martínez-Frutos, Jesús;  Gil, Antonio J.;  Bastola, Anil
Towards fully 3D printed dielectric elastomer actuators—A mini review Journal Article 
In: Additive Manufacturing Letters, vol. 14, pp. 100304, 2025, ISSN: 2772-3690.
Abstract | BibTeX | Tags: Additive manufacturing, Dielectric elastomer actuators, Electro-active polymers, PID2022-141957OA-C22, Topology optimisation | Links: 
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@article{PATTINSON2025100304,

title = {Towards fully 3D printed dielectric elastomer actuators—A mini review},

author = {Rollo Pattinson and Nathan Ellmer and Mokarram Hossain and Rogelio Ortigosa and Jesús Martínez-Frutos and Antonio J. Gil and Anil Bastola},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772369025000374},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addlet.2025.100304},

issn = {2772-3690},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

urldate = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Additive Manufacturing Letters},

volume = {14},

pages = {100304},

abstract = {Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have attracted the interest of researchers in soft robotics and biomimetics, due to their versatile capabilities, explored through numerical analysis and experimentation. Advances in computational simulation techniques have accelerated numerical studies on DEAs, enabling even design optimisation for improved performance. However, as computational models grow in sophistication, the fabrication methods required often exceed the capabilities of traditional manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, in particular 3D printing, offers a promising solution to the challenges of realising intricate multi-functional designs developed through topology optimisation. Its precision and ability to create complex geometries make it well-suited for translating computational designs into functional DEA devices. This mini-review examines recent progress in 3D printing for DEA fabrication, emphasising its role in bridging the gap between computational design and physical devices. It also highlights emerging technologies and key challenges that must be addressed to fully realise topologically optimised DEA designs.},

keywords = {Additive manufacturing, Dielectric elastomer actuators, Electro-active polymers, PID2022-141957OA-C22, Topology optimisation},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

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Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) have attracted the interest of researchers in soft robotics and biomimetics, due to their versatile capabilities, explored through numerical analysis and experimentation. Advances in computational simulation techniques have accelerated numerical studies on DEAs, enabling even design optimisation for improved performance. However, as computational models grow in sophistication, the fabrication methods required often exceed the capabilities of traditional manufacturing. Additive manufacturing, in particular 3D printing, offers a promising solution to the challenges of realising intricate multi-functional designs developed through topology optimisation. Its precision and ability to create complex geometries make it well-suited for translating computational designs into functional DEA devices. This mini-review examines recent progress in 3D printing for DEA fabrication, emphasising its role in bridging the gap between computational design and physical devices. It also highlights emerging technologies and key challenges that must be addressed to fully realise topologically optimised DEA designs.
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