Nanovoided electroactive polymer devices, systems, and methods

An electroactive device comprising:

• a primary electrode;
• a secondary electrode overlapping the primary electrode;
• a tertiary electrode overlapping the primary electrode and the secondary electrode;
• a first electroactive polymer element disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, the first electroactive polymer element comprising a nanovoided polymer material;
• and
• a second electroactive polymer element disposed between and abutting the secondary electrode and the tertiary electrode, the second electroactive polymer element comprising a nanovoided polymer material;
• wherein:
• the first electroactive polymer element is deformable from an initial state to a deformed state when a first electrostatic field is generated between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode;
• and,
• the second electroactive polymer element is deformable, in conjunction with deformation of the first electroactive polymer element, from an initial state to a deformed state when a second electrostatic field is generated between the secondary electrode and the tertiary electrode.

A method comprising:

• positioning an electroactive polymer element on a primary electrode such that the primary electrode abuts a first surface of the electroactive polymer element, the electroactive polymer element comprising a nanovoided polymer material;
• and
• positioning a secondary electrode on the electroactive polymer element such that a second surface of the electroactive polymer element opposite the first surface abuts the secondary electrode;
• wherein the electroactive polymer element is deformable from an initial state to a deformed state when a voltage is applied between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode.