Wave energy harvesting using Silicone as Electro-active Polymers

Abstract

Wave energy is one of the renewable resources, which is very little exploited at the moment. Note that the energy transmitted through this energy is important, 140 to 700 TWh/year according to the WEC (World Energy Council), that is 1 to 5% of the world's electricity demand. The mechanical energy of the waves can be converted into electricity thanks to a completely flexible system based on the technology of electro-active polymers (EAP). These materials have the ability to generate a voltage when subjected to a certain stress and conversely to deform when subjected to an electrical voltage, hence the importance of developing conductive materials. The EAP material selected for the study is silicone rubber. Thus, the formulation of composite materials from a silicon elastomer matrix loaded with conductive carbon particles (graphite, graphite nanosheets and multi-wall carbon nanotubes) is the route followed for the formation of deformable electrodes.