Electromechanical Bistable Behavior of a Novel Dielectric Elastomer Actuator

2013 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiefeng Li ◽  
Zhanan Zou ◽  
Guoyong Mao ◽  
Shaoxing Qu
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Electrical Breakdown ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
High Voltage Pulse ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Design And Optimization ◽  
Bistable Structure

High voltage is required for the existing dielectric elastomer (DE) actuators to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. However, maintaining high voltage on DE membranes can cause various failures, such as current leakage and electrical breakdown, which limits their practical applications, especially in small-scale devices. To overcome the above drawback of DE actuators, this paper proposes a new actuation method using DE membranes with a properly designed bistable structure. Experiment shows that the actuator only requires a high-voltage pulse to drive the structure forward and backward with electromechanical snap-through instability. The actuator can maintain its stroke when the voltage is removed. An analytical model based on continuum mechanics is developed, showing good agreement with experiment. The study may inspire the design and optimization of DE transducers.

Maximum Energy that can be Harvested from a Dielectric Elastomer Generator

2009 ◽  
Vol 1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Koh
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Breakdown ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Maximum Energy ◽  
Maximum Amount ◽  
Biaxial Stretching ◽  
Modes Of Failure ◽  
Electromechanical Instability

AbstractMechanical energy can be converted to electrical energy using a dielectric elastomer generator (DEG). The maximum amount of energy that can be harvested from a DEG is constrained by various modes of failure and operational limits. Known limiting mechanisms include electrical breakdown, electromechanical instability, loss of tension and rupture by stretch. These limits define a cycle where maximum energy can be harvested. The cycle was represented on work-conjugate planes, which can be used as a guide for the design of practical cycles. The amount of energy harvested is larger when a DEG is subject to equal-biaxial stretching.

scholarly journals Dielectric Elastomer Generator for Electromechanical Energy Conversion: A Mini Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9881
Author(s):  
Kui Di ◽  
Kunwei Bao ◽  
Haojie Chen ◽  
Xinjun Xie ◽  
Jianbo Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Fast Response ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Human Motion ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electromechanical Energy Conversion

The dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) has attracted attention in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, due to its high energy density, fast response, and light weight, which together make DEG a promising technology for electromechanical conversion. In this article, recent research papers on DEG are reviewed. First, we present the working principles, parameters, materials, and deformation modes of DEG. Then, we introduce DEG prototypes in the field of collecting mechanical energy, including small-scale applications for wind energy and human motion energy, and large-scale applications for wave energy. At the end of the review, we discuss the challenges and perspectives of DEG. We believe that DEG will play an important role in mechanical energy harvesting in the future.

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.

The Electromechanical Behavior of Dielectric Elastomer Actuator Stiffened by Fiber

2018 ◽  
Vol 765 ◽  
pp. 12-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Zhou Lyu ◽  
Shi Jie Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Applied Voltage ◽  
Applied Load ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Functional Material ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer Actuator ◽  
Electromechanical Behavior ◽  
Electromechanical Performance

Dielectric elastomer is functional material that can convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. In this paper, a cylindrical dielectric elastomer actuator was designed and fabricated by using fiber stiffening to improve its electromechanical performance. the effects of pre-straining, rate of applied voltage and fiber stiffening on the electromechanical behavior were investigated by the experiments. It was found that the best applied load for pre-straining was 524g based on the electromechanical tests at the applied voltage rate of 10V/s. The maximum actuated strain decreased with an increase in rate of applied voltage. When the fibers were embedded in the dielectric elastomer actuator, the maximum actuated strain was 27.5%, doubled the value of 14% without fiber stiffening at the applied voltage rate of 20V/s.

scholarly journals Development of Smart Shoes Using Piezoelectric Material

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
Affa Rozana Abdul Rashid ◽  
Nur Insyierah Md Sarif ◽  
Khadijah Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Piezoelectric Material ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Piezoelectric Materials ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Power Electronic ◽  
Energy Harvesters ◽  
Almost All

The consumption of low-power electronic devices has increased rapidly, where almost all applications use power electronic devices. Due to the increase in portable electronic devices’ energy consumption, the piezoelectric material is proposed as one of the alternatives of the significant alternative energy harvesters. This study aims to create a prototype of “Smart Shoes” that can generate electricity using three different designs embedded by piezoelectric materials: ceramic, polymer, and a combination of both piezoelectric materials. The basic principle for smart shoes’ prototype is based on the pressure produced from piezoelectric material converted from mechanical energy into electrical energy. The piezoelectric material was placed into the shoes’ sole, and the energy produced due to the pressure from walking, jogging, and jumping was measured. The energy generated was stored in a capacitor as piezoelectric material produced a small scale of energy harvesting. The highest energy generated was produced by ceramic piezoelectric material under jumping activity, which was 1.804 mJ. Polymer piezoelectric material produced very minimal energy, which was 55.618 mJ. The combination of both piezoelectric materials produced energy, which was 1.805 mJ from jumping activity.

Assessing the viability of microhydropower generation from the stormwater flow of the detention outlet in an urban area

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 664-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norashikin Ahmad Kamal ◽  
Heekyung Park ◽  
Sangmin Shin
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Flowing Water ◽  
Quality Of Water

Small-scale hydropower is the generation of electrical power of 10 MW or less from the transformation of kinetic energy in flowing water to mechanical energy in a rotating turbine to electrical energy in a generator. The technology is especially useful when installed with a stormwater infrastructure in countries teeming with abundant rainfall. It is upon this concept that this study is being pursued to assess the implementation of microhydropower within a stormwater infrastructure. In order to achieve sustainability of development, small-scale hydropower should be beneficial in the implementation of stormwater infrastructure, especially in countries that have abundant rainfall. The aim of this study is to provide an assessment method for microhydropower implementation within a stormwater infrastructure. PCSWMM software was used to simulate the flowing water at a detention outlet. Modification of the current detention pond was made to optimise the quantity and quality of water supplied to the turbine. Two important parameters in the modification design are quantity and quality of storm water, which optimise the energy generated. The total power that can be harnessed from the design is theoretically from 500 W to 0.5 MW. Therefore, it can be safely concluded that the implementation of microhydropower within a stormwater infrastructure is technologically feasible.

Electrical breakdown channel locality in high voltage pulse breakage

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 196-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiran Zuo ◽  
Fengnian Shi ◽  
Emmy Manlapig
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Voltage Pulse ◽  
Electrical Breakdown ◽  
High Voltage Pulse ◽  
Breakdown Channel

scholarly journals The Application of Piezoelectric Sensor as Energy Harvester from Small-scale Hydropower

2018 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 05024
Author(s):  
Hidayatul Aini Zakaria ◽  
Chan Men Loon
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Water Waves ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Piezoelectric Sensor ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Flowing Water

Renewable energy technology nowadays is advancing in research and application as an alternative for non-renewable energy sources including fossil fuels and coals since it is considerably less hazardous for the environment. In recent years, many studies to harvest energy from water energy including ocean waves and hydropower has been conducted. The inherent characteristic of the piezoelectric sensor which can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy has created an alternative to generate energy from renewable sources. The main aim of this research is to harvest energy from water movements which include self-generated water waves, automated water waves, flowing water and falling water. The piezoelectric sensor used in this research is a pressure-based piezoelectric sensor which means when there is a pressure exerted on the surface, it will generate electricity. A prototype was designed and simulated by Proteus software and the prototype was fabricated for energy harvesting from water movements. In this study, four methods had been used to harvest energy from small scale hydropower where two methods are from water waves generated from a hairdryer and ultrasonic cleaner and another two methods from falling water and flowing water. The results obtained shows that harvested energy from falling water gives the best results in which it has accumulated up to 13V in the same amount of time as compared to water waves and water flow.

On the Lifetime Performance of a Styrenic Rubber Membrane for Dielectric Elastomer Transducers

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Yi ◽  
Lorenzo Agostini ◽  
Marco Fontana ◽  
Giacomo Moretti ◽  
Rocco Vertechy
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Energy ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Dielectric Elastomer ◽  
Rubber Membrane ◽  
Very High Energy ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Electrical Loads ◽  
Very High

Dielectric Elastomer Transducers (DETs) are solid-state electrostatic devices with variable capacitance that can convert electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice-versa. Recent theoretical and experimental studies demonstrated that DETs made of materials like silicone elastomer and natural rubber can operate at very high energy densities. Practical applicability of DETs is strongly affected by their reliability and lifetime, which depend on the maximum strain and electrical loads that are cyclically applied on such devices. To date, very little knowledge and experimental results are available on the subject. In this context, this paper reports on an extensive lifetime assessment campaign conducted on frame-stretched circular DET specimens made of a commercial styrenic rubber membrane subjected to cyclic electrical loading.

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