Methods to Improve Energy Conversion Efficiency of Dielectric Elastomer Generators

Heng Tong Cheng,Kazuhiro Ohyama,Shijie Zhu,Zhen Qiang Song

doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.804.63

Heng Tong Cheng, Kazuhiro Ohyama + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.804.63

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Abstract

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are based on the electromechanical response of the dielectric elastomer film sandwiched between the compliant electrodes on each side, which are capable of converting mechanical energy from diverse sources (e.g, ocean wave) into electrical energy. In essence, DEG is a voltage up-converter using mechanical energy to increase the electrical energy of the charge on a soft capacitor. We evaluated the effect of input voltage and the pre-stretch ratios on energy conversion efficiency of DEG. With a power supply of 2.2kV and pre-stretch ratio of 2, the maximum net electrical energy density and energy conversion efficiency in a single harvesting cycle were measured to be 413 J/kg and 15.8%, respectively. The experimental results showed that, with the higher input voltage and the larger stretch ratio range, higher the energy conversion performance of DEG can be achieved.

Highlights

With the development of science and technology, the demand for electricity has increased dramatically [1]
As a new energy transduction technology, Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) are capable of converting mechanical energy from diverse sources into electrical energy
Experiments have shown that the energy density of DEGs can be up to 780 J/kg [1], which is at least an order of magnitude higher than the specific energies of piezoelectric ceramics and electromagnetic generators

Summary

Introduction

With the development of science and technology, the demand for electricity has increased dramatically [1]. We can already obtain electrical energy from hydropower, wind, solar photovoltaic and tide. Dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) have emerged as a viable and promising candidate a few years ago. Dielectric elastomer has obtained much attention due to their flexibility, large deformation, high energy density and high energy conversion efficiency. It is made from low-cost materials that can be fabricated in large-area sheets. As a new energy transduction technology, DEGs are capable of converting mechanical energy from diverse sources into electrical energy. Experiments have shown that the energy density of DEGs can be up to 780 J/kg [1], which is at least an order of magnitude higher than the specific energies of piezoelectric ceramics and electromagnetic generators

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