I've been immersed in watching videos and reading about various scientific endeavors, but now I'm eager to embark on my own applied science project. My current fascination lies in creating an artificial muscle that can be precisely controlled and closely mimic the properties of human skeletal muscle. In my research, I stumbled upon HASEL actuators, which seem to be a perfect fit for my goals.

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To bring my vision to life, it appears I'll need a few key components:

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1. Electrodes

2. Dielectric Liquid

3. Flexible Polymer Pouches

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In essence, these components work together to create a soft, deformable capacitor. When the electrodes are attracted to each other, the dielectric liquid is pushed to the side, filling up the volume and causing it to expand. It's almost like squeezing a balloon, with one side bulging out. This action tightens the film, serving as an actuator. What's truly remarkable is the precision of movements this approach allows – it can replicate fast, explosive contractions as well as slower, sustained ones, setting it apart from other artificial muscle technologies.

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My preliminary research has led me to a few material choices that seem promising:

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1. Rapeseed oil or mineral oil for the liquid dielectric.

2. Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) thermoplastic film for the casing that contains the liquid, which can deform when in use.

3. Carbon paint or hydrogels for the electrodes.

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However, my current challenge revolves around sourcing the BOPP material. While I've explored laminate sheets, I'm uncertain if all BOPP film sheets possess dielectric properties, especially if they are readily available for consumer purchase. I'm primarily focused on creating a simple prototype that won't break the bank.

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I'd greatly appreciate it if someone could confirm whether my choices for dielectric liquids are sound and help me identify readily available dielectric film options that can serve as the casing to contain the liquid. Ideally, I'm looking for something that is both strong and flexible.

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Thank you for any guidance you can provide!

link to a youtube video demonstrating a HASEL actuator in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8H87agMOJs