USE OF THERMOPLASTIC POLYURETHANES FOR CONVERTING MECHANICAL ENERGY TO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

摘要

Generating electrical energy from kinetic energy, comprises (i) providing a device comprising an electroactive polymer, which is arranged between electrodes, and transmitting mechanical energy to the electroactive polymer in the device, (ii) stretching the electroactive polymer from a minimum elongation to a maximum elongation as a consequence of mechanical action, and (iii) relaxing the stretched electroactive polymer from the maximum elongation to the minimum elongation as a consequence of declining mechanical action. Generating electrical energy from kinetic energy, comprises (i) providing a device comprising an electroactive polymer, which is arranged between electrodes, and transmitting mechanical energy to the electroactive polymer in the device, (ii) stretching the electroactive polymer from a minimum elongation to a maximum elongation as a consequence of mechanical action, where the electroactive polymer in a stretched state, is acted upon by a target electrical charge, during which the electrical breakdown field strength of the electro-active polymer does not exceed, and (iii) relaxing the stretched electroactive polymer from the maximum elongation to the minimum elongation as a consequence of declining mechanical action, where the electroactive polymer is unloaded to a residual charge, during relaxing. The electroactive polymer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane that can be obtained by reacting at least: (a) a linear, bi-functional and hydroxyl-terminated polyol having a number average molecular weight of manganese of 500-6000 g/mol, and (b) a diol chain extender having a number average molecular weight of manganese of 60-400 g/mol, and (c) at least one organic diisocyanate, where the molar ratio of nitrogen carbon oxygen groups in (c) to the hydroxyl groups in (a) and (b) is 0.9:1-1.1:1. Independent claims are also included for: (1) use of the thermoplastic polyurethane for generating electrical energy from kinetic energy, as an actuator material and/or as a sensor material; (2) a device for carrying out the above method; and (3) an actuator and/or the sensor comprising the above thermoplastic polyurethane.