Reverse Electrowetting Energy Harvesting via Dynamic Dielectric Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy harvesting systems based on reverse electro wetting on a dielectric face challenges in generating a net current due to constant electrode charges, resulting in no potential difference and lack of current flow, despite converting mechanical energy into electric energy using a liquid drop.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a dielectric material layer with bent portions and a cover layer to vary the flow rate of a liquid drop, along with electrodes spaced apart to induce dielectric polarization, allowing for continuous flow and potential difference generation without a separate power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a constant inclination structure is used in reverse electro wetting energy harvesting, then the liquid drop can flow continuously, but the electrodes maintain constant negative charges resulting in no potential difference and no current generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the dielectric material layer flexible and capable of dynamic deformation. The layer transitions from a static constant-inclination structure to a dynamic structure that can change its surface profile, creating varying flow rates for the liquid drop as it moves across the electrodes. This dynamic variation in flow rate enables potential difference generation between electrodes, resolving the contradiction between continuous flow and current generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the flow rate of the liquid drop through dynamic deformation of the dielectric material layer. By changing the inclination angle and surface profile of the dielectric layer during operation, the system creates different flow conditions at different electrodes, generating potential differences and enabling current flow while maintaining continuous liquid drop movement.
2Device complexity
If multiple electrodes are used with constant charges, then the electrode structure is simple, but there is no potential difference between electrodes resulting in no current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the simplicity of the electrode structure while introducing dynamics through the flexible dielectric material layer. The electrodes themselves remain structurally simple and stationary, but the dielectric layer between them dynamically deforms to create varying electric field distributions, generating potential differences that drive current flow without complicating the electrode architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the flexible dielectric material layer as an intermediary between the simple electrode structure and the current generation requirement. This intermediary layer dynamically modulates the electric field and liquid drop flow, enabling potential difference creation and current flow while the electrodes themselves maintain their simple, constant-charge configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the liquid drop flow rate is constant, then the system operation is simple, but the probability of potential difference between electrodes is low resulting in minimal current generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from constant flow rate operation to dynamic flow rate variation through the flexible dielectric material layer. The layer's ability to deform creates accelerating and decelerating effects on the liquid drop as it moves across different regions, increasing the probability of potential difference generation between electrodes while maintaining relatively simple operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the liquid drop's own gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy to dynamically interact with the flexible dielectric layer. As the drop moves, it naturally causes deformations in the layer, which in turn modulate the flow rate and enhance potential difference generation, creating a self-reinforcing mechanism that improves current generation without requiring external control.
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 ensures a consistent flow rate variation, increasing the probability of potential difference between electrodes, thereby generating a current from mechanical energy without additional power sources, enabling efficient energy harvesting from surroundings like raindrops on building glass.
Implementation Method 1
the upper surface of the dielectric material layer is configured to generate dielectric polarization in the dielectric material layer by a flow of the liquid drop
Implementation Method 2
A surface of the dielectric material is charged with negative charges and, at the same time, dielectric polarization occurs inside the dielectric material and thus a surface of the dielectric material in contact with an electrode has positive charges. Consequently, electrons move through the electrode below the dielectric material such that a current flows. This is called a reverse electro wetting phenomenon
Implementation Method 3
the upper end is located higher than the lower end in the gravity direction and configured to allow a liquid drop to flow from the upper end to the lower end along an upper surface of the dielectric material layer
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting system based on reverse electro wetting on a dielectric includes: a dielectric material layer molded with a dielectric material in a panel shape and including an upper end and a lower end; and an electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes coupled to a lower surface of the dielectric material layer. In particular, the upper end of the dielectric material layer is located higher than the lower end and allows a liquid drop to flow from the upper end to the lower end, and the dielectric material layer generates dielectric polarization in the dielectric material layer and continuously varies a flow rate of the liquid drop between the upper end and the lower end of the dielectric material layer. The plurality of electrodes are disposed to be spaced apart from one another in a direction from the upper end to the lower end.