Ahmad Farimin Ahmad Osman creator author. text my 2026 2026 monographic eng xiv, 142 pages : illustrations ; 30 cm. + 1 CD-ROM. Dielectric elastomers have emerged as promising materials for actuator applications due to their high energy density, flexibility and rapid response. However, their practical implementation is hindered by the inherent trade-off between high relative permittivity and mechanical integrity, where increasing permittivity often results in reduced breakdown strength and increased stiffness. This study aims to overcome these limitations by developing and evaluating three hybrid dielectric elastomer systems: single layer hybrid system (SLH), bilayer hybrid system (BLH) and agar hybrid system (AGH). This study proposes that combining hard (TiO2) and soft (glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil) fillers through different structural architectures provides an effective strategy for improving the electromechanical performance of PDMS by balancing dielectric permittivity, mechanical properties and electrical breakdown strength. The objectives of this study are: (i) to fabricate and characterize a baseline single layer hybrid (SLH) PDMS system using TiO2 and glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil as fillers; (ii) to fabricate and characterize two enhanced filled PDMS systems, namely bilayer hybrid (BLH) and agar hybrid (AGH), by layering TiO2 with glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil and by incorporating agar as a stabilizing matrix; and (iii) to elucidate the synergistic electromechanical effects arising from TiO2–glycerol oil/high-permittivity silicone oil interactions across the SLH, BLH and AGH systems. Characterization was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscopy for morphological analysis, Universal Testing Machine) for mechanical properties, impedance analyzer for dielectric permittivity and High Voltage Breakdown Tester for breakdown strength assessment. The results demonstrate that BLH and AGH hybridization significantly enhance the dielectric and mechanical properties of PDMS compared to SLH. The BLH system provides superior tunability of mechanical and electrical parameters with heterogeneous bilayer configurations (T/G and T/HPSO) achieving higher breakdown strength (109–152 V/μm) and improved electromechanical stability. Meanwhile, the AGH system that utilizes agar as a stabilizing matrix, enhances long-term mechanical integrity by effectively encapsulating fillers and preventing migration achieving the highest Figure of Merit (FOM = 2.28) among all tested samples. These findings confirm that hybridization of fillers through BLH and AGH optimizes the balance between permittivity, mechanical flexibility and electrical breakdown resistance. This study introduces a novel approach to designing high-performance dielectric elastomers to partially overcome the trade-offs between permittivity and mechanical stability. The findings provide a framework for optimizing PDMS-based dielectric elastomers, making them promising candidates for advanced actuator applications in soft robotics, bioelectronics and energy harvesting systems. specialized Ahmad Farimin Ahmad Osman Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang - 2026 Include bibliographical reference Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology Dissertations Universities and colleges Dissertations Theses Dissertations THE0010821 (Local) UMPSA 261007 20261007093202.0 eng