Latin America. Ricoh has developed a flexible material called the "energy-generating rubber", which converts pressure and vibration into electrical energy with high efficiency to meet the energy need of new technologies and devices that are emerging thanks to the IoT (Internet of Things).
At present, piezoelectric materials, which generate electricity with mechanical stress, are attracting attention as energy harvesting materials. The main piezoelectric materials are ceramics and polymers, but these have some shortcomings that prevent wide prevalence.
Piezoelectric ceramics are used for very specific purposes due to its fragility and heaviness even though it generates high-voltage electricity. On the other hand, piezoelectric polymers generate electricity slightly although they achieve flexibility by reducing thickness.
The "energy-generating rubber" developed by Ricoh generates as high a level of electricity as ceramics, while its appearance is like a soft, flexible blade. Since it overcomes the obstacles of previous ceramics and piezoelectric polymers, the rubber is expected to be applied in multiple areas combining the advantages of flexibility and high performance.
Ricoh will devote efforts to the research of this technology with the aim of commercializing the material for various uses especially for flexible sensors. In the future, this rubber will contribute in the new era of IoT (Internet of Things), when several devices are equipped with multiple communication functions, providing a promising power generation material.
Ceramics, an important traditional piezoelectric material, are routinely used in the electronic parts of utility equipment such as pressure and vibration sensors. Although it generates enough electricity for those purposes, it has several deficits: fragility, heaviness and the inclusion of lead. In contrast to ceramics, "energy-generating rubber" overcomes these deficits. In addition, its high durability has been confirmed through tests of several million periods.
On the other hand, polymers, such as PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), generate light electricity although they have flexibility. The "energy generating rubber" has acquired both light load sensitivity and durability against heavy load by combining high performance comparable to ceramics and more flexibility than polymers.
In addition, rubber has advantages in workability and productivity because it is soft, and does not require a high-temperature process like ceramics. High-performance flexible, durable, viable and productive, this rubber can be installed in various places and large spaces. Therefore, it can be used for various purposes and therefore in various markets compared to ceramics and polymers.
The mechanism of the rubber is not the same as that of the previous piezoelectric materials. Ricoh, in collaboration with Tokyo University of Science (project leader with Professor Takahiro Yamamoto), has launched an analysis methodology at the molecular level using computational chemistry. The results of the study will expand the possibility of the material, and help its development and application for various purposes and areas in the future.
With the advantages of "energy generating rubber", Ricoh will seek to contribute to the era of IoT, providing innovative solutions with a combination of external technology.
