Chapter 28
Green Power Generations
and Environmental Monitoring Systems
Based on the Dielectric Elastomer
Transducer
Seiki Chiba, Mikio Waki, Makoto Takeshita, Mitsugu Uejima,
Kohei Arakawa, Koji Ono, Yoshihiro Takikawa, Ryu Hatano,
and Shoma Tanaka
Abstract Recently, actuators and sensors using dielectric elastomers (DEs) have
attracted attention because they are lightweight, low cost, and efficient. Electric power
can also be generated without producing carbon dioxide emissions or using rare earth
materials. DE generators (DEGs) can generate electricity from various renewable
energy sources. DEGs can actively introduce DE power generation systems tailored
to areas such as solar power, wind power, water power, and wave power. As a result,
it will reduce the large amount of CO 2 generated by conventional power plants
and contribute to the improvement of the global environment. In order to build a
sustainable social infrastructure in an energy recycling society, methods of using a DE
converter system have been studied. In order to succeed commercially, it is necessary
to take advantage of the benefits of DE compared with conventional technology.
Keywords Dielectric elastomer · Power-generator · Sensor · High efficiency
actuator · Soft transducer · Renewable energy
28.1 Introduction
The energy required in 2040 will be about 40 TWh (about 1.6 times required in
2015) worldwide, and consumption in the Asian region is estimated to comprise
about 68% of use (Agency for National Resources and Energy in Japan 2018; REN21
S. Chiba (B)
Chiba Science Institute, Yagumo, Meguro Ward, Chiba Tokyo,, Japan
e-mail: epam@hyperdrive-web.com
M. Waki
Wits Inc, Oshiage, Sakura, Tochiji, Japan
M. Takeshita · M. Uejima · K. Arakawa
Zeon Corporation, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
K. Ono · Y. Takikawa · R. Hatano · S. Tanaka
Aisin AW Co., LTD, Takane, Fujii-Cho, Anjo, Aichi, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_28
397
Green Power Generations
and Environmental Monitoring Systems
Based on the Dielectric Elastomer
Transducer
Seiki Chiba, Mikio Waki, Makoto Takeshita, Mitsugu Uejima,
Kohei Arakawa, Koji Ono, Yoshihiro Takikawa, Ryu Hatano,
and Shoma Tanaka
Abstract Recently, actuators and sensors using dielectric elastomers (DEs) have
attracted attention because they are lightweight, low cost, and efficient. Electric power
can also be generated without producing carbon dioxide emissions or using rare earth
materials. DE generators (DEGs) can generate electricity from various renewable
energy sources. DEGs can actively introduce DE power generation systems tailored
to areas such as solar power, wind power, water power, and wave power. As a result,
it will reduce the large amount of CO 2 generated by conventional power plants
and contribute to the improvement of the global environment. In order to build a
sustainable social infrastructure in an energy recycling society, methods of using a DE
converter system have been studied. In order to succeed commercially, it is necessary
to take advantage of the benefits of DE compared with conventional technology.
Keywords Dielectric elastomer · Power-generator · Sensor · High efficiency
actuator · Soft transducer · Renewable energy
28.1 Introduction
The energy required in 2040 will be about 40 TWh (about 1.6 times required in
2015) worldwide, and consumption in the Asian region is estimated to comprise
about 68% of use (Agency for National Resources and Energy in Japan 2018; REN21
S. Chiba (B)
Chiba Science Institute, Yagumo, Meguro Ward, Chiba Tokyo,, Japan
e-mail: epam@hyperdrive-web.com
M. Waki
Wits Inc, Oshiage, Sakura, Tochiji, Japan
M. Takeshita · M. Uejima · K. Arakawa
Zeon Corporation, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan
K. Ono · Y. Takikawa · R. Hatano · S. Tanaka
Aisin AW Co., LTD, Takane, Fujii-Cho, Anjo, Aichi, Japan
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021
Y. Kishita et al. (eds.), EcoDesign and Sustainability I, Sustainable Production, Life Cycle
Engineering and Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6779-7_28
397