FURI | Fall 2018

Development of a Prosthetic Foot using Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

Currently, the researcher is trying to create a prosthetic foot using a dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA), which is essentially rubber deforming under an electrical force. Creating a dielectric elastomer needs careful consideration on the type of rubber and electrodes for the current, so the researcher is trying materials that can be useful for a proof concept. Once a DEA can be properly crafted, the next step would be designing how to deform it so that is can mimic a foot.