Release date: 2015-04-07
A special plastic for filters and tubing can generate electrical energy when pulled or squeezed. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas and Virginia Tech are now making this specialty plastic more powerful, making it more widely used in green energy and "artificial muscle." The research progress will be announced at the 249th National Conference and Expo of the American Chemical Society.
This special plastic is called polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). It and other materials with similar characteristics have played a role in modern technology, for example, forming pressure sensors on touch screen devices. Dr. Walter Walter of the University of Texas at Dallas said: "In the past few years, we have done a lot of research on PVDF materials. If it can be piezoelectric under precise conditions, it means pulling it. Generate electricity; or energize the surface of the material to change its shape."
According to the Physicist Network, the researchers realized that the potential piezoelectricity of PVDF can be significantly improved, and its application potential will far exceed the past. Based on this idea, they developed a softer and energy-collecting PVDF polymer as part of the energy harvesting materials and systems center.
In order to develop softer PVDF polymers, they combined the organic nanostructures of "Buckyball" with single-walled carbon nanotubes to enhance the bimorph performance of PVDF materials. One of the applications of this material is to convert its yarn structure into artificial muscles, which can react to shrinkage or relaxation when current and temperature change. To make it more powerful, they used about ten strands of human hair-width nylon fibers that were wound into a long roll. Experiments have shown that this structure can shrink by nearly 50% and can carry about 16 pounds when heated.
Dr. Walter said: "Another potential application of this material is as a material for capturing green energy. For example, using the energy generated by aircraft passengers sitting, standing up and adjusting their seats, to activate some functions of the cabin components, such as opening The cabin and overhead lights." This will save airlines from installing too many cables on the aircraft, as well as significantly reducing aircraft loads and fuel savings.
Dr. Walter also said that they are looking for more ways to use this material for larger energy harvesting devices and to create real artificial muscles.
Source: China Science and Technology Network - Technology Daily
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