When a substrate-bonded silicone dielectric elastomer (DE) is subjected to high voltage, creasing, wrinkling, and cratering instabilities can be formed at the surface of the DE. This deformation, has been already demonstrated for the prevention and detachment of biofouling from the surface of DEs. In this work we add sensing capabilities to the anti-biofouling effect of active DE surfaces. The capacitance of the sensor is measured as a function of applied voltage, and the threshold voltage at which instabilities occur is identified. The formation of instabilities increases the capacitance of the device. When stiff biofouling material attach to the surface of the silicone, the threshold voltage necessary to develop instabilities on the surface of the silicone will increase and this can be used as a measure of attached species to the surface.
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