Inverse Flexoelectret Effect: Bending Dielectrics by a Uniform Electric Field
Xin Wen, Kai Tan, Qian Deng, Shengping Shen
Abstract
Flexoelectricity, in which a dielectric material develops an electrical polarization in response to mechanical strain, is an important degree of freedom for designing actuators with simpler structure and higher performance. Its applications are usually limited to the nanoscale, though, due to the phenomenon's inherent size dependence. This study presents an $i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}v\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e$ flexoelectret effect in silicone elastomers to overcome this limitation, which is due to the interplay of electrets and Maxwell stress. The approach here opens an avenue for applying macroscopic flexoelectricity in actuators and flexible electronics.