High-Performance Dielectric Elastomer Nanogenerator for Efficient Energy Harvesting and Sensing via Alternative Current Method

Soft, low-cost, high-performance generators are highly desirable for harvesting ambient low frequency mechanical energy. Here, a dielectric elastomer nanogenerator (DENG) is reported, which consists of a dielectric elastomer capacitor, an electret electrostatic voltage source, and a charge pump circuit. Under biaxial stretching, DENG can convert tensile mechanical energy into electrical power without any external power supply. Different from traditional DEG with the charge outward transfer in direct current (DC), the DENG works based on shuttle movement of internal charges in an alternating current (AC). Through alternating current (AC) method, the charge density of the DENG can reach 26 mC m(-2) per mechanical cycle, as well as energy density of up to 140 mJ g(-1). Due to the all-solid-state structure without air gap, the DENG is capable of working stably under different ambient humidity (20 RH%-100 RH%). To demonstrate the applications, a water wave harvester based on the DENG is constructed. The integrated device powers a sensing communication module for self-powered remote weather monitoring, showing the potential application in ocean wave energy harvesting.

Automated summary

This article reports a dielectric elastomer nanogenerator (DENG) for harvesting ambient low frequency mechanical energy. The DENG is capable of converting tensile mechanical energy into electrical power without an external power supply. It works based on the shuttle movement of internal charges in an alternating current (AC) and has the potential application in ocean wave energy harvesting.