Note: Analysis of the efficiency of a dielectric elastomer generator for energy harvesting

2011 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 046101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gyungsoo Kang ◽  
Kyung-Soo Kim ◽  
Soohyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer

scholarly journals Optimizing the Energy Harvesting Cycle of a Dissipative Dielectric Elastomer Generator for Performance Improvement

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Fan ◽  
Hualing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Time Constant ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Enhancement Effect ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Optimal Transfer ◽  
Conversion Performance ◽  
Good Agreement

This paper optimizes the energy harvesting cycle of dissipative dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) to explore possible approaches for improving the energy harvesting performance. By utilizing the developed theoretical framework, the dissipative performance of the DEG with a constant voltage cycle is analyzed, which shows good agreement with the existing experimental data. On this basis, we design a novel energy harvesting cycle and a corresponding energy harvesting circuit in which a transfer capacitor is utilized to store the charge transferred from the DEG. Then, the energy conversion performance of the DEG with the novel energy harvesting cycle is investigated. The results indicate that both the energy density and conversion efficiency are improved by choosing a high voltage during the discharging process and that as the R-C time constant increases, the enhancement effect of the voltage increases and then approaches to the saturation. In addition, there is an optimal transfer capacitor that can maximize energy density or conversion efficiency, and the optimal transfer capacitor increases with the increase in the R-C time constant. These results and methods are expected to guide the optimal design and assessment of DEGs.

Dielectric Elastomer Energy Harvesting and its Application to Human Walking

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Lai ◽  
Chin An Tan ◽  
Yong Xu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Metabolic Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Human Walking ◽  
Wide Range

Human walking requires sophisticated coordination of muscles, tendons, and ligaments working together to provide a constantly changing combination of force, stiffness and damping. In particular, the human knee joint acts as a variable damper, dissipating greater amounts of energy when the knee undergoes large rotational displacements during walking, running or hopping. Typically, this damping results from the dissipation, or loss, of metabolic energy. It has been proven to be possible however; to collect this otherwise wasted energy through the use of electromechanical transducers of several different types which convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. When properly controlled, this type of device not only provides desirable structural damping effects, but the energy generated can be stored for use in a wide range of applications. A novel approach to an energy harvesting knee joint damper is presented using a dielectric elastomer (DE) smart material based electromechanical transducer. Dielectric elastomers are extremely elastic materials with high electrical permittivity which operate based on electrostatic effects. By placing compliant electrodes on either side of a dielectric elastomer film, a specialized capacitor is created, which couples mechanical and electrical energy using induced electrostatic stresses. Dielectric elastomer energy harvesting devices not only have a high energy density, but the material properties are similar to that of human tissue, making it highly suitable for wearable applications. A theoretical framework for dielectric elastomer energy harvesting is presented along with a mapping of the active phases of the energy harvesting to the appropriate phases of the walking stride. Experimental results demonstrating the energy harvesting capability of a DE generator undergoing strains similar to those experienced during walking are provided for the purpose of verifying the theoretical results. The work presented here can be applied to devices for use in rehabilitation of patients with muscular dysfunction and transfemoral prosthesis as well as energy generation for able-bodied wearers.

Energy harvesting from a novel contact-type dielectric elastomer generator

2020 ◽  
Vol 205 ◽  
pp. 112351 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.L. Zhang ◽  
Z.H. Lai ◽  
X.X. Rao ◽  
J.W. Zhang ◽  
D. Yurchenko
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Contact Type

scholarly journals Dielectric elastomer materials for actuators and energy harvesting

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorina M. Opris ◽  
Martin Molberg ◽  
Frank Nüesch ◽  
Christiane Löwe ◽  
Christian Walder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer

The effect of nonlinear material viscosity on the energy harvesting performance of dielectric elastomer generators

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1029-1038
Author(s):  
Yuanping Li ◽  
Jianyou Zhou ◽  
Liying Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Electromechanical Coupling ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Viscosity Model ◽  
Nonlinear Material ◽  
Simulation Results

Dielectric elastomer generators are capable of converting mechanical energy from a variety of sources into electrical energy. The energy harvesting performance depends on the interplay between electromechanical coupling, material viscosity, and multiple failure modes. Experiments also suggest that the material viscosity of dielectric elastomers is deformation-dependent, which makes the prediction of the performance of dielectric elastomer generators more challenging. By adopting the coupled field theory, finite-deformation viscoelasticity theory, and the theory for polymer dynamics, this work investigates the harvested energy and conversion efficiency of dielectric elastomer generators from theoretical perspective. By comparing the simulation results from the nonlinear viscosity model to the experimental data and the simulation results from the linear viscosity model, we further examine the possible factors that may strongly influence the performance of dielectric elastomer generators. It is found that dielectric elastomer generators exhibit higher harvested energy when nonlinear material viscosity is considered. Moreover, by selecting a higher voltage of the power supply for the generator, the conversion efficiency of dielectric elastomer generators can be greatly improved. The theoretical framework in this study is expected to offer some new insights into optimizing the design of dielectric elastomer generators and thus improving their performance.

Manufacture and Experimental Investigation of a Multi-Layer Generator Based on Dielectric Elastomer

2014 ◽  
Vol 960-961 ◽  
pp. 1336-1341
Author(s):  
Xue Jing Liu ◽  
Gong Zhang ◽  
Yong Quan Wang ◽  
Shu Hai Jia
Keyword(s):  
Energy Harvesting ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Energy Harvesting Efficiency ◽  
Open Circuit Condition ◽  
Constant Charge

As a member of Electroactive Polymers (EAPs), dielectric elastomer (DE) has shown considerable potential for energy harvesting applications. After the basic principle of DE energy harvesting is studied, a multi-layer DE generator using VHB 4910 (3M, USA) is specially designed and fabricated. Then, an improved energy harvesting circuit is designed to make use of harvested electrical energy. Finally, energy harvesting experiments are implemented under the constant charge (open-circuit) condition and the results prove that the multi-layer DE generator fabricated can produce enough energy to constantly drive a light emitting diode. The harvested electrical energy has good consistent with generated electrical energy and the maximum energy harvesting efficiency ηh can reach 89%.

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