Flexoelectric effects in dielectric solids

1.1 Large deformations in soft dielectric solids

• We develop the equilibrium equations describing the flexoelectric effect in soft dielectrics under large deformations such that the flexoelectric coupling tensor is completely defined in the material frame.

• The energy potential and equilibrium equations are first expressed in terms of deformation and polarization, and then rewritten in terms of deformation and electric potential, yielding an unconstrained system of fourth-order partial differential equations (PDEs).

• We further develop a theory of geometrically nonlinear extensible flexoelectric rods under open and closed circuit conditions, with which we examine cantilever bending and buckling under mechanical and electrical actuation.

• The numerical implementation is done using B-Splines which is robust as it handles the electromechanical instabilities in soft flexoelectric materials.

Reference Publication:

Codony,D., Gupta, P. , Marco, O. and Arias, I. 2020. Modeling flexoelectricity in soft dielectrics at finite deformation. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids.