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Heat to power energy conversion using thermomechanical polymers: an experimental proof of concept.

Number: 0020

Author(s) : SEBALD G., OIRI T., LOMBARDI G., COATIVY G., KOMIYA A.

Summary

Low-grade heat although abundant is hardly convertible into usable energy not only because of the limited Carnot efficiency, but also due to the lack of proper solutions, especially at low scales. In this work, we investigated the thermomechanical properties of natural rubber and proposed a design of a heat to power energy converter. The thermomechanical characterization of natural rubber tubes showed temperature induced stress variation up to 9~12 kPa/K for elongations between 3 and 6 times the initial length. A device was then developed using a dual assembly of parallel natural rubber tubes. Temperature variations of 5 ~ 35 K were then induced by cyclic flow between hot and cold reservoirs. Applying thermodynamic cycles, the prototype was able to produce up to 3.2 J of mechanical energy per cycle (150 mJ/cm3 per cycle). Considering the cycle period of 34 s, this corresponded to an output mechanical power of 120 mW.
 

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Pages: 7 p.

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Details

  • Original title: Heat to power energy conversion using thermomechanical polymers: an experimental proof of concept.
  • Record ID : 30035069
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 11th IIR Conference on Solid-State Cooling, Heating and Energy Harvesting.
  • Publication date: 2026/06/07
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.thermag.2026.0020

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