EMVAC project
Published July 27, 2026 | Version v1
Poster Open

Electrostatic actuators with multilayered dielectrics for vacuum and space applications

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Johannes Kepler University of Linz
  • 2. ROR icon Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna

Description

Poster at the MPI-IS Workshop: Shaping the Future of Soft Electrostatic Actuators
Wednesday, 24 June - Saturday, 27 June, 2026
Schloss Ringberg, Germany

Abstract: 
Electrostatic actuators have long been proposed for space applications, but limited material options, reliability concerns, and intrinsic technological constraints have so far prevented them from meeting expectations. The EMVAC project introduces an actuation concept that exploits electrically induced deformations of multilayered dielectric structures composed of polymer films separated by vacuum gaps. Such systems can enable the actuation of space devices as well as operation in vacuum-based research and industrial applications on Earth. By employing high vacuum as the critical dielectric layer, rather than a bulk insulating material, the technology promises unmatched performance in power density, strain, and actuation speed at low material and manufacturing cost. The vacuum gap, however, introduces complex electrical phenomena within the dielectric structure, notably a possible accumulation of charge at film interfaces, which alters the force output of the system. This work
will study the electrical dynamics governing the force response of such systems by combining experimental investigations with physics-oriented theoretical approaches. Alongside this, it will evaluate a range of candidate polymer films and develop actuators based on the polymer-film/vacuum-gap topology, advancing this emerging actuation paradigm.

Acknowledgements
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101209095 (EMVAC), as well as from the Department of Science and Research of the State of Upper Austria through the Linz Institute of Technology - LIT JKU LINZ , ID LIT-2025-14-COF-111. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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EMVAC_ElectrostaticActuators_Ringberg.pdf

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Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.3030/101209095

Funding

European Commission
EMVAC - Electrostatic actuators with multilayered dielectrics for vacuum and space applications 101209095

Dates

Accepted
2026-06-24

References

  • Tugui, C., Thakar, T., Gogoj, A., White, A., Li, A. L., Yin, A., ... & Duduta, M. (2026). A Soft Robotic Demonstration in the Stratosphere. arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.04352
  • Carpi, F., Sommer-Larsen, P., De Rossi, D., Gaudenzi, P., Lampani, L., Campanile, F., ... & Baldacci, S. (2005). Electroactive polymers: new materials for spacecraft structures. In Spacecraft Structures, Materials and Mechanical Testing 2005 (Vol. 581).
  • Sîrbu, I. D., Mazzotta, A., Tosi, U., Bortoluzzi, D., Mattoli, V., Moretti, G., & Fontana, M. (2025). Vacuum-gap electrostatic multilayer actuators for space robotics. Nature Communications
  • Sîrbu, I. D., Preninger, D., Danninger, D., Penkner, L., Schwödiauer, R., Moretti, G., ... & Kaltenbrunner, M. (2023). Electrostatic actuators with constant force at low power loss using matched dielectrics. Nature Electronics, 6(11), 888-899