Establishing of Design Logic for the Device Using Electrohydrodynamics

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the developmental process of Electrohydrodynamics(EHD) flow. In recent years, researchers are interested in soft actuators as an application to IoT devices. We focused on EHD which is one of the promising actuation source among soft actuators. EHD is a phenomenon that is driven when a high electric field is applied to a dielectric fluid, but the detailed flow mechanisms has not been clarified. Therefore, for the current study, FEM analysis and fluid observation has been carried out to clarify the mechanism of EHD flow. The body force equation was derived from the general electrostatic force equation and Clausius-Mossotti relation. We simulated FEM analysis using this equation. Besides, EHD flow was observed by optical visualization that was Schlieren method. The result of the FEM analysis and flow visualization is compared and evaluated in order to establish the design theory of EHD actuators.