Abstract: A dielectric elastomer drive system A1 includes: a dielectric elastomer drive unit 1 provided with a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 flanking the dielectric elastomer layer 11; a power supply unit 5 configured to apply voltage to the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1; and a charge removal unit 2 configured to remove the charge stored in the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1. The configuration contributes to improving responsiveness.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 includes a dielectric elastomer power generation element 3 having a dielectric elastomer layer 31 and a pair of electrode layers 32 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 31. The dielectric elastomer power generation system A1 further includes a piezoelectric element 1 and a multi-stage voltage multiplier/rectifier circuit 2 that boosts and rectifies the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element 1 and applies the resulting voltage as an initial voltage to the dielectric elastomer power generation element 3. This configuration enables the system to be constructed at a lower cost and increase the amount of power generation.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer according to the present invention includes a dielectric elastomer layer, and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The electrode layers contain a binder and carbon black. The carbon black has a particle size distribution as measured by dynamic light scattering in which not less than 95% falls in a range of 0.15 to 8.0 ?m. The carbon black has a particle size as measured by laser scattering ranging from 0.4 to 50 ?m. The particle size distribution of the carbon black as measured by dynamic light scattering has a first peak that falls in a first range of 0.15 to 1.0 ?m and a second peak that falls in a second range of 1.0 ?m to 8.0 ?m. This structure achieves both stretchability and electrical conductivity of the electrode layers.

Abstract: A high frequency filter A1 has frequency characteristics such that the amount of attenuation for an input electrical signal is smaller in a first frequency band f1 than in a second frequency band f2. The high frequency filter A1 is provided with a dielectric elastomer transducer 1 that includes a dielectric elastomer layer 13 and a pair of electrode layers 14 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 13. The frequency characteristics are variable by the dielectric elastomer transducer 1. This configuration provides a high frequency filter having frequency characteristics that are variable and suitable for a lightweight and compact configuration.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator A1 includes a stator 1 and a mover 2, and is driven by an attractive force and a repulsive force generated by an electric field between the stator 1 and the mover 2. One of the stator 1 and the mover 2 includes a plurality of capacitor structures 5 each having a counter electrode 51 and a non-counter electrode 52. The other one of the stator 1 and the mover 2 includes a plurality of counter electrodes 61. The electrostatic actuator A1 is driven by an attractive force and a repulsive force generated between the counter electrodes 51 and the counter electrodes 61. This configuration can provide a faster and higher-power electrostatic actuator.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave absorber includes ground carbon particles derived from carbon nanotubes. With such a configuration, the electromagnetic wave absorber achieves both stretchability and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The heat-dissipating material contains ground carbon particles derived from carbon nanotubes. Such a configuration can improve both elasticity and heat conductivity of the heat-dissipating material.

Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism comprises: a camshaft having a plurality of cams; and a plurality of transducer units each including a plurality of transducers that each have a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The plurality of transducer units each provide a drive force to a corresponding one of the plurality of cams. The plurality of transducers in one of the transducer units are arranged radially around the corresponding cam. Such a configuration can exert a drive force more efficiently.

Abstract: A high frequency filter A1 has frequency characteristics such that the amount of attenuation for an input electrical signal is smaller in a first frequency band f1 than in a second frequency band f2. The high frequency filter A1 is provided with a dielectric elastomer transducer 1 that includes a dielectric elastomer layer 13 and a pair of electrode layers 14 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 13. The frequency characteristics are variable by the dielectric elastomer transducer 1. This configuration provides a high frequency filter having frequency characteristics that are variable and suitable for a lightweight and compact configuration.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer according to the present invention includes a dielectric elastomer layer, and a pair of electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The electrode layers contain a binder and carbon black. The carbon black has a particle size distribution as measured by dynamic light scattering in which not less than 95% falls in a range of 0.15 to 8.0 ?m. The carbon black has a particle size as measured by laser scattering ranging from 0.4 to 50 ?m. The particle size distribution of the carbon black as measured by dynamic light scattering has a first peak that falls in a first range of 0.15 to 1.0 ?m and a second peak that falls in a second range of 1.0 ?m to 8.0 ?m. This structure achieves both stretchability and electrical conductivity of the electrode layers.

Abstract: The antenna device A1 includes an antenna 1 configured to transmit and/or receive radio waves, and a dielectric elastomer drive element 2 including a dielectric elastomer layer 21 and a pair of electrode layers 22 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 21. The dielectric elastomer drive element is capable of changing an antenna characteristic of the antenna 1. With such a configuration, the antenna device can be made smaller and lighter while improving its antenna characteristics.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer power generation system of the invention includes: a power generation unit including a dielectric elastomer power generation element having a dielectric elastomer layer flanked by two electrode layers; a step-down unit including capacitors; a power storage unit for input of an output power from the step-down unit; and a control unit that controls the connection between the step-down unit and the power generation unit or power storage unit. The step-down unit includes first diodes and second diodes, where the first diodes form a circuit that connects the capacitors in series when the power generation unit is connected to the step-down unit, and the second diodes form a circuit that connects the capacitors in parallel when the step-down unit is connected to the power storage unit. This configuration serves to store the generated power more efficiently in the power storage unit, e.g., a secondary battery.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer Al includes a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 11. The electrode layers 12 contain ground carbon particles derived from carbon nanotubes. This configuration ensures both stretchability and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a dielectric elastomer transducer including a dielectric elastomer layer and electrode layers sandwiching the elastomer layer. The elastomer layer when stretched exhibits a stress-strain curve having: a low strain and high elasticity region; a low elasticity region; and a high strain region. The method includes: a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the elastomer layer by stretching the elastomer layer one or more times under a load as heavy as a first load before the electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the elastomer layer to undergo a tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process including applying a second load smaller than the first load to the elastomer layer so as to fix the elastomer layer to a support member under a second tension smaller than the first tension.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer drive system A1 includes: a dielectric elastomer drive unit 1 provided with a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 flanking the dielectric elastomer layer 11; a power supply unit 5 configured to apply voltage to the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1; and a charge removal unit 2 configured to remove the charge stored in the dielectric elastomer drive unit 1. The configuration contributes to improving responsiveness.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer vibration system includes a dielectric elastomer vibrator with a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers, and a power supply device producing a potential difference across the electrode layers. The vibrator exhibits various modes or regions of relationship between potential difference and deformation induced by the potential difference: a high-response region in which a relatively large deformation is induced; a low-response region of lower-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced; and a low-response region of higher-potential difference in which a relatively small deformation is induced or in which a break point of the dielectric elastomer layer is included. The power supply device produces the potential difference by applying across the electrode layers a vibration signal voltage, which is generated by combining an AC voltage with a bias DC voltage corresponding to a potential difference falling in the high-response region.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer driving sensor system includes: a dielectric elastomer transducer portion including a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers that sandwich the dielectric elastomer layer, where the pair of electrode layers include a driving region and a sensor region that are partitioned from each other; a power supply unit that applies a voltage to the driving region; a detection unit that detects a change in capacitance in the sensor region; and a control unit that controls the power supply unit and the detection unit. With this configuration, both the driving function and the sensor function can be performed.

Abstract: Provided are: a power generator including a dielectric elastomer element with an elastomer layer and electrodes sandwiching the layer; an intermediate power storage including a specific number of capacitors to receive output power from the power generator; a storage unit to receive output power from the intermediate power storage; and a controller for setting control by switching a mode between an input mode and an output mode. In the input mode, some number of the capacitors of the intermediate power storage are connected to the power generator such that a series number is an input series number of less than or equal to the specific number. In the output mode, some number of the capacitors are connected to the storage unit such that the series number is an output series number which is smaller than the input series number.

Abstract: A method for forming a dielectric elastomer transducer of the present invention includes: a first electrode layer fixing step of fixing a first electrode layer to a target object; a dielectric elastomer layer fixing step of fixing a dielectric elastomer layer to the first electrode layer; and a second electrode layer fixing step of fixing a second electrode layer to the dielectric elastomer layer. This configuration ensures that the dielectric elastomer transducer highly conforms to the target object.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer A1 includes a dielectric elastomer layer 2, a pair of electrode layers 3A, 3B sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 2, and a support 1 that supports the dielectric elastomer layer 2. The dielectric elastomer layer 2 includes a movable region 21 separated from the support 1 and a fixed region 22 supported by the support 1. A pair of conduction paths 8A, 8B are established that are configured to conduct electricity to the electrode layers 3A, 3B via power cables 4A, 4B and power supply points 6A, 6B at which core wires 41A, 41B of the power cables 4A, 4B are electrically connected, respectively. The power supply points 6A, 6B are separated from the movable region 21 of the dielectric elastomer layer 2. This arrangement improves the durability of the dielectric elastomer transducer.