A self-biasing dielectric elastomer generator via integrated triboelectric nanogenerator with four-bar linkage for wave energy harvesting

A dielectric elastomer generator is an electrical power device that utilizes electrostatic variable capacitance for electromechanical conversion. A novel oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy collector equipped with a four-link mechanism to facilitate the deformation of the dielectric elastomer(DE). A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is integrated within the 4-bar linkage mechanism, serving as an embedded bias voltage source for the electromechanical conversion of the dielectric elastomer generator (DEG). The pressure originated from the oscillating motion of the water column in the air chamber to drive the 4-bar linkage mechanism and stretch the DE membrane to deform as a variable capacitance, while simultaneously actuating the plates of the TENG for contact and separation. The viability of integrating DEG and TENG with an unstable Four-bar Linkage Parallelogram mechanism has been experimentally confirmed. A theoretical model of the device has also been developed. Its performance has been examined and analyzed in conjunction with finite element simulations. The experiment test data indicates that the contact-separation TENG is capable of generating an adequate bias voltage to support the energy conversion process of the DEG. The innovative 4-bar linkage mechanism approach enables the DEG to achieve self-sufficiency, allowing it to operate independently without reliance on conventional constant voltage sources for bias voltage, which capability facilitates the DEG harvesting of wave energy autonomously.