Analysis of viscoelastic soft dielectric elastomer generators operating in an electrical circuit

Bortot, Eliana, Denzer, Ralf, Menzel, Andreas and Gei, Massimiliano (2016) Analysis of viscoelastic soft dielectric elastomer generators operating in an electrical circuit. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 78-79. pp. 205-215. ISSN 0020-7683

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Abstract

A predicting model for soft dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) must consider a realistic model of the electromechanical behaviour of the elastomer filling, the variable capacitor and of the electrical circuit connecting all elements of the device. In this paper such an objective is achieved by proposing a framework for reliable simulations of soft energy harvesters. In particular, a simple electrical circuit is realised by connecting the capacitor, stretched periodically by a source of mechanical work, in parallel with a battery through a diode and with an electrical load consuming the energy produced. The electrical model comprises resistances simulating the effect of the electrodes and of the conductivity current invariably present through the dielectric film. As these devices undergo a high number of electro-mechanical loading cycles at large deformation, the time-dependent response of the material must be taken into account as it strongly affects the generator outcome. To this end, the viscoelastic behaviour of the polymer and the possible change of permittivity with strains are analysed carefully by means of a proposed coupled electro-viscoelastic constitutive model, calibrated on experimental data available in the literature for an incompressible polyacrylate elastomer (3M VHB4910). Numerical results showing the importance of time-dependent behaviour on the evaluation of performance of DEGs for different loading conditions, namely equi-biaxial and uniaxial, are reported in the final section.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dielectric elastomer generator, Electric circuit, Large strain electro-viscoelasticity
Subjects:	H600 Electronic and Electrical Engineering J500 Materials Technology not otherwise specified
Department:	Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Mechanical and Construction Engineering
Depositing User:	Paul Burns
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2019 13:47
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2019 20:45
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/38756

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