(May 18, 2015) Ricoh
today announced that it has created a novel flexible material
"Energy-Generating Rubber" that converts pressure and vibration into
electric energy with high efficiency.
Currently, piezoelectric materials, which generate
electricity with mechanical strain, are drawing attention as energy-harvesting*
materials. Major piezoelectric materials are ceramics and polymers, but they
have some deficits which prevent them from wide prevalence.
Piezoelectric ceramics are used for restricted purposes
because of their fragility and heavy weight although they generate relatively
high electricity. On the other hand, piezoelectric polymers generate very slight
electricity although they achieve flexibility by reducing the thickness.
The "Energy-Generating Rubber" created by Ricoh
generates as high a level of electricity as ceramics while its appearance is a
soft and flexible sheet. Since it overcomes the deficits of previous
piezoelectric ceramics and polymers, it is expected to be applied to multiple
areas combining the advantages of flexibility and high-output.
Ricoh will advance research in this technology aiming at
commercializing the material for various purposes especially flexible sensors.
In the future, it will contribute to the coming age of IoT, when various
devices are equipped with communication features, by providing a promising
energy-generating material.
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