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Possibility of a Portable Power Generator Using Dielectric Elastomers and a Charging System for Secondary Batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Seiki Chiba

    (Chiba Science Institute, Yagumo, Meguro Ward, Tokyo 152-0023, Japan)

  • Mikio Waki

    (Wits Inc., Oshiage, Sakura City 329-1334, Tochigi, Japan)

Abstract

Energy generation using dielectric elastomers (DE) has received a great deal of attention due to their light weight, low cost, and high efficiency. This method is an environmentally friendly system that generates electricity without emitting carbon dioxide and without using rare earths, and can contribute to the reduction of global warming. However, this DE system is expected to be used for wearables, such as shoe power generation, because it is not yet possible to make an energy generation element of a very large size. The problem is that this small DE generator can only generate a small amount of energy at one time. Therefore, in order to increase energy generation efficiency, it is necessary to use a material with higher conductivity for the DE electrode. Moreover, since DE energy generation is output at a high voltage, a circuit capable of stepping down with high efficiency is required in order to use this power for ordinary electric appliances. In addition to this, a circuit that can charge the secondary battery with high efficiency from the surplus power obtained by energy generation is also required. However, these are still technically difficult and have hardly been studied so far. We identified a highly efficient step-down circuit using two diaphragm-type DEs with a diameter of 8 cm, dropped 3000 V to 3.3 V, and succeeded in charging the secondary battery. The possibility of wearable or portable energy generation was shown in a commercial manner.

Suggested Citation

  • Seiki Chiba & Mikio Waki, 2022. "Possibility of a Portable Power Generator Using Dielectric Elastomers and a Charging System for Secondary Batteries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:16:p:5854-:d:886633
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Seiki Chiba & Mikio Waki & Changqing Jiang & Makoto Takeshita & Mitsugu Uejima & Kohei Arakawa & Kazuhiro Ohyama, 2021. "The Possibility of a High-Efficiency Wave Power Generation System Using Dielectric Elastomers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Kui Di & Kunwei Bao & Haojie Chen & Xinjun Xie & Jianbo Tan & Yixing Shao & Yongxiang Li & Wenjun Xia & Zisheng Xu & Shiju E, 2021. "Dielectric Elastomer Generator for Electromechanical Energy Conversion: A Mini Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-17, September.
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