This thesis work is part of a project carried out at EPFL (CH) in the framework of ESNAM (European Scientific Network for Artificial Muscles) and Queen Mary University of London. The aim was to develop an high-performance bioinspired tuneable lens using dielectric elastomer technology, mimicking the architecture of the crystalline lens and ciliary muscle of the human eye.
We started from a concept previously proposed in literature and improved its design, materials and developed a semi-automated fabrication process. This led to the world’s fastest tuneable lens made of smart materials. We demonstrated the integration of actuation, fast response speed and long lifetime in a soft device, paving the way for complex polymer-made fast mechatronic devices.