Abstract
The dielectric elastomer generator (VHB 4905, 3M) with diaphragm configuration was investigated with the constant-voltage harvesting scheme in order to investigate its energy harvesting ability. The maximum energy density and energy conversion efficiency is measured to be 65 J/kg and 5.7%, respectively. The relatively low efficiency indicates that higher energy conversion efficiency is impeded by the viscosity of the acrylic elastomer, suggesting that higher conversion efficiency with new low-viscosity elastomer should be available.
Highlights
As one kind of electroactive polymers, the dielectric elastomer (DE) possesses some unique properties, such as extraordinarily large strain, excellent flexibility and high response speed [1]
Huang et al [6] reported that the energy density of acrylic dielectric elastomer within a single harvesting cycle can be as high as 560 J/kg adopting the equi-biaxial stretching method with the constantvoltage energy harvesting strategy
It can be seen that charge flowed from the power source to the dielectric elastomer membrane when the film was stretched at a constant voltage of 2 kV, and the charge on the dielectric elastomer was harvested when the DE recovered to the initial state at a constant voltage of 4 kV
Summary
As one kind of electroactive polymers, the dielectric elastomer (DE) possesses some unique properties, such as extraordinarily large strain, excellent flexibility and high response speed [1]. Compared with other competing power generation technologies, the energy density of dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) shows great advantages, which is more than two orders of magnitude higher than electromagnetics and piezoelectric ceramics [1]. Huang et al [6] reported that the energy density of acrylic dielectric elastomer within a single harvesting cycle can be as high as 560 J/kg adopting the equi-biaxial stretching method with the constantvoltage energy harvesting strategy. Shian et al [7] optimized the electromechanical cycle of DEG with a “triangle” harvesting strategy, which boosted the energy density of dielectric elastomer to 780 J/kg. Even though the maximum energy density is expected to be achieved with equi-biaxial loading strategy in the laboratory, the complex mechanical structure confined its large-scale applications. The research on the diaphragm configuration of DEG with constantvoltage scheme is very few and far between
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