Despite our inability to demonstrate a working DEA, it is still possible to do so with the instructions and information we have given. However, there are certain key obstacles to successful implementation you will have to overcome. Namely:
Voltage requirement - As mentioned by Prof. Dae-young (see: What went Wrong?) a 5 kV voltage was the minimal voltage we would have needed to see reliable actuation. Attaining this may not be practical for a home-built power supply, but for those with ready access to a voltage amplifier, it would be of interest to test out your DEA on a higher voltage first. As always, follow all necessary safety precautions when handling high voltages!
Layering - A DEA designed to lift or move loads would require much more than a single DEA layer. Stacked configurations, with several dozen layers, can provide many times the force output and strain. The only problem is that stacking DEA layers with our hand-built design is impractical. The VHB4910 adhesive will bond with itself extremely readily, making it difficult to place any more than a few layers together. Designs that do not use adhesive layers would likely lead to better success in this regard. A prestretching frame thinner than what we have shown may also be helpful.
This shouldn't be interpreted as discouragement! We still believe it should be possible to implement a home-built design, and we welcome others - students, hobbyists, or professionals - to improve upon the information and methods we have described here.