Project Overview
The project aims to develop fatigue-resistant novel self-sensing elastomers with integrated compliant electrodes that will be used for modular metamaterial-based Dielectric Elastomer Generators (DEGs) and Dielectric Fluid Generators (DFGs). In this project, 2D conductive fillers (e.g. MXene) will be used in achieving superior dielectric materials with extremely high dielectric permittivity and in making superior electrodes thanks to their outstanding capacitance and excellent conductivity. Furthermore, fatigue-resistant elastomers will be created by the combination of soft elastomers as the matrix and hard elastomers as the tougheners. All the novel materials developed here will be followed by rigorous experimental characterizations using multi-axial test rigs purposely built for the Wave Energy applications at Swansea University. To this end, the new project will complement and augment the WES-funded ongoing “Direction Generation Concept Design Competition” by providing fatigue-resistant elastomers with integrated electrodes for modular metamaterial-based self-sensing DEGs and DFGs. This project fully aligns with the WES newly
launched Vision “Next Generation Wave Energy: Direct, Distributed, Flexible” by focusing on “fundamental material development and selection (under Enabling R &D section)” for “modular, metamaterial-based Direct Generation (e.g., DEG and DFGs)”. The novel materials that will be developed in this project will have applications beyond the Wave Energy sectors such as in flexible actuators for soft robotics and wearable sensors for healthcare applications (Exploration).
Project Aims
- WP1. Materials development
- WP2. Experimental characterisation for electrodes and DEs for DEGs and DFGs
- WP3. Prototype developments and testing
Project Team
- Professor Mokarram Hossain
- Professor Ian Masters
- Jonathan Hodges
- Ieuan Collins
Collaborators
Swansea University and Wave Energy Scotland