Phase-change composites for electroactive devices

An electroactive device comprising:

• a primary electrode;
• a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode;
• and
• an electroactive polymer element comprising a composite polymer material disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, wherein the composite polymer material comprises a polymer matrix and inclusions of a deformable medium comprising a phase-changeable material that undergoes a change in volume when the phase-changeable material changes phase, the inclusions of the deformable medium being dispersed throughout the polymer matrix.

A method comprising:

• forming a primary electrode;
• forming an electroactive polymer element comprising a composite polymer material directly over the primary electrode;
• and
• forming a secondary electrode opposite the primary electrode and directly over the electroactive polymer element, wherein the composite polymer material comprises a polymer matrix and inclusions of a deformable medium comprising a phase-changeable material that undergoes a change in volume when the phase-changeable material changes phase, the inclusions of the deformable medium being dispersed throughout the polymer matrix.