Electret properties of PVDF film material: Flexible and lightweight energy harvesting device

Enrico Bischur, Norbert Schwesinger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

An electrostatic energy harvesting device is presented that is built up like a film capacitor consisting of PVDF films as electret material. By using separated Aluminum foils as electrodes, the distance between PVDF film and Aluminum foil can be changed by compressive forces if the device is just loosely wound. The change of the distance in addition to the polarized PVDF film acts like an electrostatic generator. One challenge in the design of the device is to ensure a controllable change of distance between PVDF film and Aluminum foil if the device is stressed mechanically. One possibility is the change of parameters of the winding process to generate certain pretensions of the films. Main disadvantage of this method is the difficulty to produce devices with constant properties. A potential solution for this problem is to fold the device in a special way. The advantage of the fold is that the distance of the electrodes changes in a more controlled and uniform way, if it is pushed and pulled. The device was modeled analytically to find the optimum configurations for different constrains. The results found in the simulation have been evaluated experimentally, too.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationActive and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2014
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Print)9780819499837
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventActive and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2014 - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: 10 Mar 201413 Mar 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9057
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceActive and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period10/03/1413/03/14

Keywords

  • Electret
  • Electrostatic energy harvester
  • Film capacitor
  • PVDF

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