We develop customized, electromechanical, dielectric elastomer actuators and sensors as films and multi-layer laminates and their integration according to different transducer concepts.
Services
development of dielectric elastomer actuators (DEA) and sensors (DES)
processing of dielectric elastomers (DE) as thin layers
development and processing of flexible electrodes
development of encapsulations for sensors and actuators
Ferro- and relaxor-ferroelectric polymers, space-charge electrets
We process, functionalize and characterize customized electroactive polymers as well as space-charge electrets and find solutions for their integration into components.
Developments
piezoelectric polymers and composites as well as sensors and actuators
pyroelectric polymers and sensors
electrocaloric polymers, composites and laminates
cellular piezoelectric polymers (ferroelectrets)
space-charge electrets based on PP, PET, COP, PTFE and composites
Processing and functionalization
processing of e. g. PVDF, PVDF co- and terpolymers with adapted layer thicknesses from 100 nm to 300 µm
techniques: inkjet printing, electrospinning, melt-pressing, screen printing, doctor blade, spin-coating
processing of polymer films with cellular structures using voiding in supercritical CO2
electrical polarization and charging
Characterization
current-voltage and strain-voltage characteristics
Novel holographic polymers and composites are developed for the fabrication of diffractive optical thin-film elements through holographic micro- or nanostructuring of the material surface and volume.
Services
development of materials
testing of commercial materials
holographic irradiation with laser wavelengths: 355, 405, 488 and 532 nm
fabrication and characterization prototypes of optical elements
Materials and processing
azobenzene-containing materials
photopolymerizable organic and organic-inorganic composites
glassy and elastic polymers
photocrosslinkable LC polymers
optimized irradiation procedure and all-optical manufacturing processes
Fraunhofer Institute for 
