Electricity on Rubber Surfaces: A New Energy Conversion Effect.

ABSTRACT: This work describes the conversion of mechanical energy to electricity, by periodically stretching rubber tubing and allowing it to relax. The rubber surface shows periodic and reversible electrostatic potential variations, in phase with the tubing length. The potential change depends on the elastomer used: silicone loses charge when stretched and becomes strongly negative when relaxed, whereas the stretched natural rubber is positive, becoming negative when relaxed. Every other elastomeric material that was tested also showed periodic potential but followed different patterns. When the motion stops, the potential on the resting samples decreases quickly to zero. The potential oscillation amplitude decreases when the relative humidity decreases from 65 to 27%, but it is negligible when the

SUBMITTER: Burgo TAL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6645551 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature