Basic functionality of the PolyPower DEAP smart material
Innovative actuation, sensing and energy harvesting based on the PolyPower technology
Actuation
When applying an electric field across a capacitor, electrostatic forces will try to force the plates of the capacitor towards each other. As the material used in PolyPower film is very soft and cannot be compressed, any compression of the material in one direction will result in an expansion of the material perpendicular to the compression.
This can be utilized to make actuators that directly convert electrical signal into mechanical force or stroke.
 
Download one-pager on PolyPower actuator here.
Sensing
The InLastor element is a flexible capacitor. External mechanical force deforms the PolyPower film. The change in capacitance will be proportional to amount of deformation/load.
Download one-pager on PolyPower sensor here.
Energy harvesting
PolyPower film is a capacitor and as such it can store electrical energy. When the capacitance of a DEAP element is changed, as a result of mechanical force on the element, the amount of stored energy changes. This feature of the material can be used to convert mechanical energy directly into electrical energy.
 
Download one-pager on PolyPower energy harvesting here. |
