Interlocking Electro-Bonded Laminates

Novel, structurally integrated, interlocking electrode elements are presented in this paper. Electro-Bonded Laminates (EBL) are structures that utilise the electrostatic force of attraction, generated between closely spaced electrode elements when subject to high potential difference (~2 kV), to control internal structural coupling. Control of internal connectivity allows for flexural stiffness modulation, with significant potential applications including vibration suppression and morphing applications. Existing EBL devices use parallel planar electrode elements. For this study Polyurethane (PU) core structures were cast with interlocking geometries based on a simple cosine wave form. By introducing this additional complexity to the electrodes, additional electrode-electrode contact area is available within a set external geometric profile, whilst also introducing directional resistance to sliding motion between the two surfaces. Interlocking Electro-Bonded Laminate (iEBL) devices are demonstrated with electrostatic holding force capabilities similar to equivalent planar devices, with the added benefit of alignment and sliding restrictions provided by the directional elements. A novel enhancement to the existing EBL technology has thus been demonstrated.