IPMCs as Energy Harvesters

IPMCs that are subjected to a mechanical bending produce voltage difference on the electrodes. The bending causes anion density to increase on the compressed side, and to decrease on the stretched side. Also, cation recombination occurs. This causes the electric field and upon shorting, an electric current. 

In this section a proof of proposed concept of using IPMCs for energy harvesting applications is presented. Also an IPMC sensor model is formulated for better understanding of the energy harvesting mechanisms [Tiwari et al. (2008)]. 

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