Dielectric Elastomer Sensor Capable of Measuring Large Deformation and Pressure

Most of the conventional sensors used for measuring deformation, pressure, etc., use metal, ceramics, piezo, or the like. Many of them are very rigid, and when the object is deformed or when the pressure on the object changes currently, it is necessary to arrange a large number of sensors with different conditions side by side. However, it is still difficult to measure all changes over time. With the newly developed dielectric elastomer sensor, even a very thin (0.1–0.2 mm) elastomer thickness could be deformed in difficult environments (e.g., places with large temperature changes or large vibrations), and it would be possible to measure any pressure changes due to its deformation. By applying this sensor, it can be used as a position sensor (including a three-dimensional sensor) or an acceleration sensor, so that it could be applied to the control of the arms and legs of a robot, smart shoes, and the like

Improvement of Elastomer Elongation and Output for Dielectric Elastomers

The need for light, high-strength, and artificial muscles is growing rapidly. A well-known type of artificial muscle meeting these requirements is the dielectric elastic (DE) type, which uses electrostatic force between electrodes. In hopes of utilizing, it practically for a variety of purposes, research and development is rapidly progressing all over the world as a technology for practical use. Much of the market demand is dominated by more output-focused applications such as DE power suits, DE motors, DE muscles for robots, and larger DE power systems. To meet these demands, the elasticity of the elastomer is very important. In this paper, we discussed what the important factors are for SS curves, viscoelasticity tests, etc. of the dielectric elastomer materials. Recent attempts have been also made to use new carbon foam materials such as SWCNTs and MWCNTs as electrodes for DEs. These electrodes bring the elastomers to a higher level of performance

ヒガシ ドロンイングモードランド セール・ロンダーネ サンチ チガク チョウサタイ ホウコク 2009–2010(JARE-51)

セール・ロンダーネ山地は,東南極・東ドロンイングモードランドに位置している.第51 次日本南極地域観測隊(JARE-51)夏隊の一部は2009-2010年の夏期に,セール・ロンダーネ山地においてベルギー南極観測隊(BELARE)との国際共同により地質,地形,隕石探査の地学野外調査を実施した.地質隊と地形隊はドロンイングモードランド航空ネットワーク(DROMLAN)によりセール・ロンダーネ山地に赴き,隕石探査隊は日本の新南極観測船「しらせ」の処女航海として南極に到着した.地質隊は山地東部を含むセール・ロンダーネ山地のほぼ全域をカバーし,地形隊は山地の西部および中央部で調査を行った.隕石探査隊は山地東部で調査を行った.野外活動は安全かつ成功裏に終了した.地質隊の一部はDROMLAN により帰国し,他のメンバーはセール・ロンダーネ山地からDROMLAN により昭和基地へ離脱したのち,「しらせ」により帰国した.本稿では設営,気象を含めた野外行動全般について報告する.Earth science-related field activities, involving geology, geomorphology and meteorite searches, were carried out in the Sør Rondane Mountains, Eastern Dronning Maud Land, during the 2009-2010 summer season as a part of the 51st Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-51), in collaboration with the Belgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE). Geology and geomorphology parties accessed the Sør Rondane Mountains using the Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN), and the meteoritesearch party to Antarctica on the maiden voyage by the new Japanese icebreaker Shirase. The geology party covered the entire area of the Sør Rondane Mountains, although with an emphasis on the eastern part. The geomorphology party carried out fieldwork in western and central parts of the mountains, and the meteorite search party performed a survey in the eastern part. All field activities were succes fully carried out. Some of the geology members returned to Japan by DROMLAN, while others flew to Syowa Station from the Sør Rondane Mountains by DROMLAN, and then returned to Japan on board Shirase. This report provides a summary of the field operations, including logistics and weather records

Verification of the Radio Wave Absorption Effect in the Millimeter Wave Band of SWCNTs and Conventional Carbon-Based Materials

Using a sample coated with three types of carbon-based paints, namely single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNTs), carbon black, and graphite, the amount of radio wave absorption for each was measured. SWCNTs proved to have the superior radio wave absorption effect in the millimeter band. Considering the change in the amount of radio wave absorption depending on the coating amount, three different coating thicknesses were prepared for each test material. The measurement frequency was set to two frequency bands of 28 GHz and 75 GHz, and the measurement method was carried out based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) R1679 “Radio wave absorption characteristic measurement method in the millimeter wave band of the radio wave absorber.” As for the amount of radio wave absorption in the 28 GHz band, a maximum amount of radio wave absorption of about 6 dB was obtained when 35 m of CNT spray paint was applied. It was confirmed that the carbon black paint came to about 60% that of the SWCNT, and the graphite paint did not obtain much radio wave absorption even when the coating thickness was changed. Furthermore, even in the 75 GHz band, the radio wave absorption was about 7 dB when 16 μm of CNT spray paint was applied, showing the maximum value. Within these experimental results, the CNT spray paint has a higher amount of radio wave absorption in the millimeter wave band than paints using general carbon materials. Its effectiveness could be confirmed even with a very thin coating thickness of 35 μm or less. It was also confirmed that even with the same paint, the radio wave absorption effect changes depending on the difference in coating thickness and the condition of the coated surface

Possibility of a Portable Power Generator Using Dielectric Elastomers and a Charging System for Secondary Batteries

Energy generation using dielectric elastomers (DE) has received a great deal of attention due to their light weight, low cost, and high efficiency. This method is an environmentally friendly system that generates electricity without emitting carbon dioxide and without using rare earths, and can contribute to the reduction of global warming. However, this DE system is expected to be used for wearables, such as shoe power generation, because it is not yet possible to make an energy generation element of a very large size. The problem is that this small DE generator can only generate a small amount of energy at one time. Therefore, in order to increase energy generation efficiency, it is necessary to use a material with higher conductivity for the DE electrode. Moreover, since DE energy generation is output at a high voltage, a circuit capable of stepping down with high efficiency is required in order to use this power for ordinary electric appliances. In addition to this, a circuit that can charge the secondary battery with high efficiency from the surplus power obtained by energy generation is also required. However, these are still technically difficult and have hardly been studied so far. We identified a highly efficient step-down circuit using two diaphragm-type DEs with a diameter of 8 cm, dropped 3000 V to 3.3 V, and succeeded in charging the secondary battery. The possibility of wearable or portable energy generation was shown in a commercial manner

The Challenge of Controlling a Small Mars Plane

Dielectric elastomers (DEs) are lightweight and high-power, making them ideal for power control in a planetary exploration spacecraft. In this chapter, we will discuss the control of an exploration airplane exploring the surface of Mars using DEs. This airplane requires lightweight and powerful actuators to fly in the rare Martian atmosphere. DEs are a possible candidate for use as actuator controlling the airplane since they have high power, and high efficiency. A structural model of a wing having a control surface, a DE, and a linkage was built and a wind tunnel test of a control surface actuation using a DE actuator was carried out

Possibility of a Portable Power Generator Using Dielectric Elastomers and a Charging System for Secondary Batteries

Energy generation using dielectric elastomers (DE) has received a great deal of attention due to their light weight, low cost, and high efficiency. This method is an environmentally friendly system that generates electricity without emitting carbon dioxide and without using rare earths, and can contribute to the reduction of global warming. However, this DE system is expected to be used for wearables, such as shoe power generation, because it is not yet possible to make an energy generation element of a very large size. The problem is that this small DE generator can only generate a small amount of energy at one time. Therefore, in order to increase energy generation efficiency, it is necessary to use a material with higher conductivity for the DE electrode. Moreover, since DE energy generation is output at a high voltage, a circuit capable of stepping down with high efficiency is required in order to use this power for ordinary electric appliances. In addition to this, a circuit that can charge the secondary battery with high efficiency from the surplus power obtained by energy generation is also required. However, these are still technically difficult and have hardly been studied so far. We identified a highly efficient step-down circuit using two diaphragm-type DEs with a diameter of 8 cm, dropped 3000 V to 3.3 V, and succeeded in charging the secondary battery. The possibility of wearable or portable energy generation was shown in a commercial manner