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.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer A1 includes a plurality of dielectric elastomer elements each including a dielectric elastomer layer 11 and a pair of electrode layers 12 and 13 flanking the dielectric elastomer layer 11. The plurality of dielectric elastomer elements include adjacent dielectric elastomer elements 1. One electrode layer 12 of one of the adjacent dielectric elastomer elements and one electrode layer 12 of the other one of the adjacent dielectric elastomer element have the same potential. Such a configuration ensures more stable use of the dielectric elastomer elements.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

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 includes a dielectric elastomer function element having a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers between which the dielectric elastomer function element is interposed, and further includes a supporting body that supports the dielectric elastomer function element. Each of the electrode layers has one or more application regions. The dielectric elastomer function element has one or more function portions on which the application regions of the electrode layers are overlapped. The function portion is spaced away from the supporting body. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid damaging the electrode layer and acquire a sufficient amount of expansion.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer transducer includes a dielectric elastomer function element having a dielectric elastomer layer and a pair of electrode layers between which the dielectric elastomer function element is interposed, and further includes a supporting body that supports the dielectric elastomer function element. Each of the electrode layers has one or more application regions. The dielectric elastomer function element has one or more function portions on which the application regions of the electrode layers are overlapped. The function portion is spaced away from the supporting body. With such a configuration, it is possible to avoid damaging the electrode layer and acquire a sufficient amount of expansion.

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 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 dielectric elastomer sensor system A1 is provided with an oscillation circuit 1 including a dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 having a dielectric elastomer layer 111 and a pair of electrode layers 112 sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer 111, and with a determination circuit 2 configured to determine a change in a capacitance of the dielectric elastomer sensor element 11, based on an output signal from the oscillation circuit 1. The dielectric elastomer sensor element 11 changes in capacitance due to deformation caused by external forces of at least two mutually different directions. Such a configuration enables provision of a multifunctional dielectric elastomer sensor system and dielectric elastomer sensor element.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer driving mechanism includes a driver, a follower, and a power transmitter. The driver includes a dielectric elastomer driving element made up of a dielectric elastomer layer and two electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The driver also includes a tension maintaining element maintaining, in a no-voltage state, the dielectric elastomer driving element in a state in which tension occurs, and includes an output portion capable of moving along with the expanding or contracting of the dielectric elastomer driving element. The follower includes a following element actuating in accordance with a driving force inputted. The power transmitter is connected to the output portion of the driver for transmitting a driving force of the driver to the follower.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer motor includes an artificial muscle and a conversion mechanism cooperating with the artificial muscle. The artificial muscle includes a dielectric elastomer film or layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. First and second electrodes are attached to the first surface and the second surface of the dielectric elastomer film, respectively. First and second bases are attached to the dielectric elastomer so as to be spaced apart from each other. The first base and the second base are capable of reciprocation relative to each other upon change in size of the dielectric elastomer. The conversion mechanism converts the reciprocation of the bases to pivotal or rotational movement. The dielectric elastomer receives voltage application with a predetermined timing via the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: A converter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a dielectric elastomer film, and a high-dielectric-constant film. The dielectric elastomer film is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and has relative dielectric constant ?1. The high-dielectric-constant film is disposed at one or both of: a location between the first electrode and the dielectric elastomer film; and a location between the second electrode and the dielectric elastomer film. The high-dielectric-constant film has relative dielectric constant ?2 that is higher than the relative dielectric constant ?1.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer motor includes an artificial muscle and a conversion mechanism cooperating with the artificial muscle. The artificial muscle includes a dielectric elastomer film or layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. First and second electrodes are attached to the first surface and the second surface of the dielectric elastomer film, respectively. First and second bases are attached to the dielectric elastomer so as to be spaced apart from each other. The first base and the second base are capable of reciprocation relative to each other upon change in size of the dielectric elastomer. The conversion mechanism converts the reciprocation of the bases to pivotal or rotational movement. The dielectric elastomer receives voltage application with a predetermined timing via the first and the second electrodes.

Abstract: A dielectric elastomer driving mechanism includes a driver, a follower, and a power transmitter. The driver includes a dielectric elastomer driving element made up of a dielectric elastomer layer and two electrode layers sandwiching the dielectric elastomer layer. The driver also includes a tension maintaining element maintaining, in a no-voltage state, the dielectric elastomer driving element in a state in which tension occurs, and includes an output portion capable of moving along with the expanding or contracting of the dielectric elastomer driving element. The follower includes a following element actuating in accordance with a driving force inputted. The power transmitter is connected to the output portion of the driver for transmitting a driving force of the driver to the follower.

Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that use an electroactive polymer transducer to convert mechanical energy, originally contained in one or more waves, to electrical energy. Marine devices described herein may employ a mechanical energy conversion system that transfers mechanical energy in a wave into mechanical energy suitable for input to the electroactive polymer transducer.

Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.

Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.

Abstract: Described herein are marine devices and methods that convert mechanical energy in one or more waves to mechanical energy that is better suited for conversion into electrical energy. The marine devices employ a mechanical energy conversion system that harnesses wave energy and converts it into limited motion that is suitable for input to an electrical energy generator.