Mechanical to electrical energy conversion in a hybrid liquid-solid dielectric electrostatic generator.

Abstract

The authors are studying the effect of the dielectric choice in electrostatic generators on the energy yield. Despite having high permittivities, solid dielectrics are shown to have a lower performance than is first apparent, due to the effect of the air-gap. Liquid dielectrics are found to offer higher overall equivalent permittivities compared to solid dielectrics with air-gaps but the conductivity of liquids limits their performance. Experimental work has been conducted using a hybrid generator which incorporates both solid and liquid layers. The solid (PVDF) layer is used to limit the conduction between the plates and the liquid dielectric is withdrawn or injected for the necessary change in capacitance. The experimental work has demonstrated a number of design considerations for such generators and is ultimately used to show that energy conversion is possible using this electrostatic generator configuration.