Abstract
Soft dielectric tubes undergo large deformations when subjected to radial voltage. Using the theory of nonlinear electroelasticity, we investigate how voltage-controlled deformations of these tubes in an array alter acoustic wave propagation through it. We show that the propagation is annihilated across a certain audible frequency range, referred to as a sonic band gap. We carry out a numerical study, to find that the band gap depends nonlinearly on the voltage, owing to geometrical and material nonlinearities. By analyzing different mechanical constraints, we demonstrate that snap-through instabilities resulting from these nonlinearities can be harnessed to achieve sharp transitions in the gap width. Our conclusions hint at a new strategy to adaptively filter sound using a simple control parameter - an applied voltage.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 045028 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Smart Materials and Structures |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 14 Mar 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2017 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- acoustics
- dielectric elastomer
- nonlinear elasticity
- snap-through instability
- sonic band gap
- tunable phononic crystal
- wave propagation