Autonomously self-healing dielectric elastomer actuators from thermoplastic polydimethylsiloxane elastomer

Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs)-based artificial muscles are susceptible to electrical breakdown. The electrical breakdowns usually cause macroscopic failure, resulting in tearing or pinhole formation. Therefore, the breakdowns terminate the service time of the artificial muscle. On the other hand, biological muscles extend their lifetime from injuries through a self-healing ability. Therefore, it is ideal for DEAs to possess the self-healing ability to extend their service time. Here we present an instantaneous self-healable DEA by utilizing an ultra-soft thermoplastic elastomer based on the combination of urea and ureidopyrimidone.