Ionic Liquid Vibration Energy Harvester
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration-driven energy harvesters face challenges in achieving both compact size and high power generation due to the limited separation distance between electrodes, which restricts the amount of power that can be generated, even when using electrets.
Innovation Solution
A vibration-driven energy harvester is designed with a fixed electrode, a movable electrode, and an ionic liquid in between, where the movable electrode moves relative to the fixed electrode, changing the area of the electrical double layers on both sides of the interfaces, allowing for increased power generation through altered electrostatic capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electrode separation distance is reduced to achieve compact device size, then the device size is minimized, but the power generation output is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the medium between electrodes from conventional dielectric materials to ionic liquid, which enables formation of electrical double layers with much higher capacitance. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high power generation output even with minimal electrode separation distance, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and power output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining electrodes with ionic liquid to create electrical double layer capacitors. This composite approach leverages the unique properties of ionic liquid to form high-capacitance interfaces, enabling both compact device dimensions and high power generation capability simultaneously
2Power
If the electrode separation distance is increased to enhance power generation output, then the power generation output increases, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the medium parameter from conventional dielectric to ionic liquid, the system achieves extremely high capacitance density at the electrode interfaces. This allows sufficient power generation output to be obtained with very small electrode separation distances, thereby avoiding device size increase while maintaining high power output
3Power
If electrets are used to improve power generation effectiveness, then the power generation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electret-based systems with ionic liquid-based electrical double layer capacitors. This parameter change eliminates the need for electret materials and their associated charging and maintenance complexities, while achieving equal or superior power generation effectiveness through the high-capacitance properties of ionic liquid interfaces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables a compact energy harvester capable of generating significantly more power than traditional designs, with a 10,000 to 100,000 times increase in charge quantity while maintaining low voltage, facilitating miniaturization and efficient power generation across various vibration frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
an ionic liquid disposed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode which face opposite each other, wherein: power is generated as an external vibration moves the movable electrode, causing a change in at least one of an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the fixed electrode and the ionic liquid and an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the movable electrode and the ionic liquid
Implementation Method 2
the electrical double layers are formed through an electro-kinetic phenomenon occurring over a contact region where the fixed electrode and the ionic liquid are in contact with each other and over a contact region where the movable electrode and the ionic liquid are in contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration-driven energy harvester includes: a fixed electrode; a movable electrode that is disposed so as to face opposite the fixed electrode and is allowed to move relative to the fixed electrode; and an ionic liquid disposed between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode which face opposite each other, wherein: power is generated as an external vibration moves the movable electrode, causing a change in at least one of an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the fixed electrode and the ionic liquid and an area of an electrical double layer formed on two sides of an interface of the movable electrode and the ionic liquid.