TEXTILE-BASED STRETCHABLE ENERGY GENERATOR

• US 20140111063A1
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: BAE, Ji-hyun, PARK, Jong Jin, JEON, Sang-hun, GUZELTURK, Burak
• Granted Patent: US 9,287,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/339
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/852 Composite materials, e.g. having 1-3 or 2-2 type connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/857 Macromolecular compositions
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/877 Conductive materials in general H01B1/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/948 Energy storage/generating using nanostructure, e.g. fuel cell, battery

Abstract

A textile-based stretchable energy generator is provided. The energy generator includes: flexible and stretchable first and second electrode substrates; and an energy generation layer, which is provided between the first and second electrode substrates and includes a dielectric elastomer for generating electrical energy from a transformation thereof.

Claims

1. An energy generator comprising:

a first electrode substrate which is flexible and stretchable;

a second electrode substrate which is flexible and stretchable; and

an energy generation layer disposed between the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate, wherein the energy generation layer comprises a dielectric elastomer, wherein electrical energy is generated by a transformation of the dielectric elastomer.

2. The energy generator of claim 1, wherein each of the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate comprises:

a textile, which is flexible and stretchable, and an electrode layer coated on the textile.

3. The energy generator of claim 2, wherein the electrode layer comprises at least element one selected from a group consisting of gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni).

4. The energy generator of claim 1, wherein each of the first electrode substrate and the second electrode substrate has an elongation percentage of about 10% to about 100%.

5. The energy generator of claim 1, wherein the dielectric elastomer includes at least one material selected from a group consisting of natural rubber, silicone rubber, acrylic rubber, and copolymer.

6. The energy generator of claim 1, wherein the energy generation layer further comprises a material which improves a dielectric property of the dielectric elastomer.

7. The energy generator of claim 6, wherein the dielectric property improving material includes at least one element selected from a group consisting of a single-wall nanotube, a multi-wall nanotube, a carbon particle, an acrylic polymer, and a conductive polymer.

8. The energy generator of claim 1, wherein the energy generation layer further comprises a piezoelectric material.

9. The energy generator of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric material includes at least one material selected from a group consisting of zinc oxide (ZnO), barium titanium trioxide (BaTiO₃), sodium niobium trioxide (NaNbO₃), lead zirconate titanate (PZT), poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and a PVDF copolymer derivative.

10. The energy generator of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric material is embedded in the dielectric elastomer.

11. The energy generator of claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric material has a shape of a nanoparticle, a nanowire, a nanorod, a nanofiber, or a nanoflower.

12. The energy generator of claim 8, wherein the energy generation layer further includes a dielectric property improving material which improves a dielectric property of the dielectric elastomer.

13. The energy generator of claim 8, wherein the dielectric property improving material includes at least one material selected from a group consisting of single-wall nanotube, a multi-wall nanotube, a carbon particle, an acrylic polymer, and a conductive polymer.

14. The energy generator of claim 2, wherein the textile is a woven fabric.

15. The energy generator of claim 1, further comprising a protection member which encloses the first and second electrode substrates and the energy generation layer.

16. An energy generator comprising:

a first substrate comprising a first electrode;

a second substrate comprising a second electrode;

an energy generation layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the energy generation layer comprises a flexible dielectric elastomer and a piezoelectric material suspended in the dielectric elastomer, wherein a transformation of the dielectric elastomer generates electrical energy.