Gael Sebald, Giulia Lombardi, Gildas Coativy, Atsuki Komiya
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This work leverages the thermomechanical properties of natural rubber, an abundant, low-cost, and renewable material, for low-grade heat energy harvesting. Natural rubber tubes exhibited temperature-induced stress variations of 10 kPa.K−1 when pre-elongated to 5 times their original length, for a temperature range of 20°C to 60°C. A prototype elastocaloric device was evaluated using a fluid to cyclically transfer heat from a hot heat exchanger to the natural rubber and then to a cold heat exchanger. Constitutive equations and simulations were used to assess the energy conversion capability. Finally, thermodynamic energy cycles were experimentally tested with temperature variations of 35 K and elongations of 4.5–5.5 times the original length, converting heat-to-mechanical work at 4 J per cycle, corresponding to 150 mJ.cm−3. The proposed design is scalable with a larger quantity of natural rubber, and after adding an electromagnetic system, low-grade heat energy may be converted into electricity.
期刊介绍:
Joule is a sister journal to Cell that focuses on research, analysis, and ideas related to sustainable energy. It aims to address the global challenge of the need for more sustainable energy solutions. Joule is a forward-looking journal that bridges disciplines and scales of energy research. It connects researchers and analysts working on scientific, technical, economic, policy, and social challenges related to sustainable energy. The journal covers a wide range of energy research, from fundamental laboratory studies on energy conversion and storage to global-level analysis. Joule aims to highlight and amplify the implications, challenges, and opportunities of novel energy research for different groups in the field.