Self-priming dielectric elastomer generator design

Thomas McKay; Benjamin O'Brien; Emilio Calius; Iain Anderson

doi:10.1117/12.915464

5 April 2012 Self-priming dielectric elastomer generator design

Thomas McKay, Benjamin O'Brien, Emilio Calius, Iain Anderson

Proceedings Volume 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012; 83401Y (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915464
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Dielectric elastomer generators (DEG) are variable capacitor power generators that are a highly promising technology for harvesting energy from environmental sources because they have the ability to work over a wide frequency range without sacrificing their high energy density or efficiency. DEG can also take on a wide range of configurations, so they are customizable to the energy source. A typical generation cycle requires electrical charge to be supplied and removed from the DEG at appropriate times as it is mechanically deformed. The manner in which the DEG charge state is controlled greatly influences energy production. The recently developed self-priming circuit can provide this functionality without any active electronics, but it is not configurable to match the generator and its energy source. In this paper a highly configurable self-priming circuit is introduced and an analysis of the self-priming DEG cycle is performed to obtain design rules to optimize the rate at which it can boost its operating voltage. In a case study we compare the performance of an initial prototype selfpriming circuit with one that has been intentionally optimized. The optimized generator voltage climbed from 30 V up to 1500 V in 27 cycles, whereas the same generator required 37 cycles when the suboptimal self-priming circuit was used.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas McKay, Benjamin O'Brien, Emilio Calius, and Iain Anderson "Self-priming dielectric elastomer generator design", Proc. SPIE 8340, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2012, 83401Y (5 April 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.915464

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available