Energy Diagrams in Dielectric Elastomer Generators

摘要

Dielectric elastomers have recently attracted attention as energy generators because of their coupled electric and mechanic properties. Specific energy of about 6,3 J/g has been claimed to be obtained from dielectric elastomers within the specific limits of material failure considering a Neo-Hookean material model. In our work we propose a one-dimensional generalized approach of the same problem by considering a mathematical analysis based on the following conditions: thermodynamic stability, mechanical rupture, dielectric breakdown, pull-in phenomena, loss of tension and absence of electric field. The mechanical and electric restriction equations are obtained for the case of a dielectric slab within compliant electrodes. Some experimental work is presented.