Energy diagrams of dielectric elastomer generators under different types of deformation

We address the effects of various deformation modes, equibiaxial tension, uniaxial tension and pure shear on the energy diagrams and stability restrictions of a dielectric elastomer (DE) generator. It is shown that the stability restrictions, as well as the maximum energy that can be converted, are deformation-dependent. DE generators working under the pure shear state can avert electromechanical instability provided that tensile stress prevails over the membrane. The energy output in the pure shear state is lower than that of equibiaxial tension, but much higher than that of uniaxial tension.