Research on Output Characteristics of a Circular Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Abstract

ObjectivesEnergy is an important physical basis for economic and social development in modern world. Accompanied by the gradual depletion of traditional energy sources, the collection and utilization of renewable energy sources has become significant. Dielectric elastomer is a new soft intelligent material with electromechanical bidirectional coupling characteristics, which can be used to make the dielectric elastomer generator to generate electricity.MethodsA circular dielectric elastomer generator was designed and fabricated firstly. Then, by analyzing its workflow, generator theory and energy conversion mechanism, the mathematical model of the circular dielectric elastomer generator was established to describe the relationship between its power generation performance and the bias voltage, external load and pre-stretching multiplier. Finally, the validity of the established mathematical model was verified by practical experiments.ResultsThe increase of pre-stretching multiplier, stretching displacement and bias voltage can help to improve the power generation performance of the circular dielectric elastomer generator.ConclusionsThis work provides the guidance for the design of dielectric elastomer generators.

Keywords

• dielectric elastomer generator
• energy collection
• power generation performance
• bias voltage
• pre-stretch