Abstract:

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) can convert electric energy to mechanical energy without gearing and work efficiently over a broad frequency range.1-3 Owing to its low modulus, large strain, fast response, lightweight, reliability, and high energy density, DEs find many applications in industry such as artificial muscles, sensors, and micro-robotics. A key for the preparation of DE with high actuated strain at a low electric field is to design and develop elastomers with high dielectric constant and low modulus. In this work, some new methods are used for the design and preparation of high performance polyurethanes DEs. The first one is the preparation of DE with high dielectric constant and low modulus by controlling the hydrogen bonding between thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) via the addition of polyethylene glycol（PEG）oligomer or dinaphthyldiimide. The second one is the preparation of an interlock structured all-organic dielectric elastomer with large actuation strain under ultralow-voltage and high mechanical strength. The third one is the preparation of TPU DE with high dielectric

constant and low dielectric loss by using the combined technique of disrupting hydrogen bonding between TPU chains and in-situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide nanosheets (GONS). The mechanisms of these new methods, the dielectric properties of the as-prepared DE materials, and the structure-property relationship are carefully investigated.

Key words：Dielectric elastomers，dielectric properties，actuated strain

________________________________

Biography:

Education
•Ph.D. (Materials Science) —Beijing University of Chemistry Technology, Beijing, P. R. China (9/2000-6/2004)
•M.S. (Composites) —Beijing University of Chemistry Technology, Beijing, P. R. China (9/1994-6/1997)
•B.S. (Rubber and Plastic Engineering) —Shenyang Institute of Chemical Technology, Shenyang, P. R. China (9/1990-7/1994)
Professional Experience
•Professor(2005-), Associate professor(2001-2005), Lecturer (1999-2001), Assistant Lecturer(1997-1999), College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemistry Technology, Beijing, P. R. China
•Visiting Scholar, Department of Chemistry, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota, USA (5/1/2006– 10/31/2006)
Research Interests
?Nano-/micro-sized fiber reinforced rubber composites
?(electrically conductive, dielectric, anti-wear and friction reducing, flame resistant, etc) functional elastomer composites
?Thermoplastic elastomer
?The relations of microstructure and properties of elastomer composites

Achievement and Awards
New Century Excellent Talents in University of Ministry of Education of China
The New-Star of Science and Technology supported by Beijing Metropolis of China
The first awards of Technical Invention in 2012 (the 1st awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The first awards of Technological progress in 2012 (the 3rd awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The first awards of Technological progress in 2009 (the 4th awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The second awards of National Technical Invention in 2008 (the 2nd awardee), General Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China 
The third awards of Technical Invention in 2008 (the 1st awardee), Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission of China
The first awards of Technical Invention in 2007 (the 2nd awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The first awards of Technical Invention in 2005 (the 2nd awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The second awards of Technological progress in 2004 (the 8th awardee), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association
The second awards of Technological progress in 2001 (the 2nd awardee), Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission of China

Selected Publications
1.Evolution of conductive network and properties of nanorod/polymer composite under tensile strain, Journal of Chemical Physics 2013, 139, 024903. Yancong Feng, Nanying Ning, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian*(田明), Hua Zou, Jianguo Mi*
2.Relationship between Dispersion and Conductivity of Polymer Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamics Study, J. Phys. Chem. B 2012, 116, 13081-13088.Yancong Feng, Hua Zou, Ming Tian*(田明), Liqun Zhang, Jianguo Mi*.
3.Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental composites reinforced with electrospun nylon 6 nanocomposite nanofibers containing highly aligned fibrillar silicate single crystals. Polymer, 2007, 48: 2720-2728. Ming Tian (田明), Yi Gao, Yi Liu, Yiling Ne Hedin, Hao Fong
4.Fabrication and evaluation of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resins/composites containing nanofibrillar silicate. Dental Materials, 2008, 24: 235-243. Ming Tian (田明), Yi Gao, Yi Liu, Yiliang Ne Hedin, Hao Fong*
5.Improved polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/graphite nanocomposites by solution compounding and spray drying. Polymer for Advanced Technology. 2012, 23: 652-659. Leilei Wang, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian*(田明)
6.A new kind of electro-active polymer composite composed of silicone elastomer and polyethylene glycol. J.Phys.D: ppl.Phys.2012, 45:1-9. Haoliang Liu, Liqun Zhang, Dan Yang, Nanying Ning, Yingchun Yu, Bingyue yan, Ming Tian*(田明)
7.Electrospun composite nanofibers of polybutadiene rubber containing uniformly distributed Ag nanoparticles, Materials Letters. 2012, 84: 5-8. Haiyan Wu, Qinghua Hu, Liqun Zhang, Hao Fong*, Ming Tian*(田明)
8.Rubber composite fibers containing silver nanoparticles prepared by electrospinning and in-situ chemical crosslinking. Express polymer letters. 2012, 6(4): 258-265. Q. Hu, H. Wu, L. Zhang, H. Fong, Ming Tian*(田明)
9.Mechanical and tribological properties of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber filled with graphite and carbon black. Materials Design. 2012, 39: 450-457. Leilei Wang, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian*(田明)
10. Effect of expanded graphite (EG) dispersion on the mechanical and tribological properties of nitrile rubber/EG composites. Wear. 2012, 276-277:85-93. Leilei Wang, Liqun Zhang, Ming Tian