Page 14 - ASME SMASIS 2017 Program

Symposia
Biography
Dr. Yves Chemisky is Maître de conferences at Arts et Métiers ParisTech
and member of the Laboratory of studies of microstructures and
mechanics of materials (LEM3) in Metz since September 2011. He received
his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Metz in 2009,
and his Habilitation to Manage Research in December 2016. His research
interests are related with the development of thermodynamically based
constitutive models to describe the non-linear behavior and fatigue of
materials including shape memory alloys, composite materials and smart
composites, as well as the numerical resolution of coupled problems
across length scales. These interests are extended to identification of
material parameters and optimization methods for engineering related to
material design.
SYMPOSIUM 3
MODELLING, DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF WAVE
ENERGY CONVERTERS BASED ON DIELECTRIC ELASTOMER
GENERATORS
Marco Fontana
Assistant Professor
Mechanics of Machines
University of Trento
Abstract
This presentation provides an overview on the research we have
conducted in the last four years on dielectric elastomer generators (DEGs) Elastomer Generators for the conversion of energy carried by ocean
for ocean wave energy harvesting. DEGs are deformable variable
capacitors, which allow the conversion of the mechanical work involved in control and demonstration of components and integrated prototypes. On
their deformation into direct-current electricity. Since their first
demonstration, they have been studied in a number of applications such
as energy harvesting from human motion, water currents, and sea waves. PolyWEC and of grants funded by the Power Take Off programme of Wave
Compared to conventional electro-magnetic generators, DEGs enjoy
simpler architectural solutions, lower mass density, reduced number of
components, potentially higher reliability and lower cost. In the last years, published on journals and conference proceedings, five book chapters
these promising features awakened the interests of the community of the and five patents.
emerging sector of wave energy. Wave energy is an abundant and highly
concentrated renewable energy source but its commercial exploitation is
still limited to pilot installations and pre-commercial prototypes. Existing
wave energy converters (WECs), based on conventional technologies, are
showing excessive complexity and cost, poor resistance to the marine
environment, and limited energy conversion efficiency. The introduction of
DEGs can represent the technological breakthrough that provides the
needed boost to make wave energy exploitable.
In this context, we have conducted research activities that includes
modelling, design, characterization and experimental testing of different
14 WECs concepts based on DEGs.
Specifically, integrated multiphysics dynamic models have been
formulated, which are based on the combination of electro-hyperelastic
models of DEGs and simplified models of wave hydrodynamics. In a first
stage, such models were employed to study and evaluate preliminary
design concepts. In a second stage, the activities focused on the design
and production of different prototypes of small scale WECs which are
mainly based on the oscillating water column (OWC) architecture
combined with a circular diaphragm DEG (CD-DEG). Eventually, test
campaigns are conducted both in wave-tank and in laboratory. As for tank
tests, fully integrated prototypes have been tested in wave-tanks available
at University of Edinburgh, i.e. artificial basins in which programmed waves
can be generated. The output power matrix (power output against wave
frequency and height) of the system is calculated for both regular and
irregular waves. Additionally, more specific laboratory tests are currently
being conducted on larger scale prototypes using a custom setup able to
drive CD-DEGs. Promising results obtained are illustrated with their
potential performance in scaled up wave energy converters. These
research activities received funds from European Commission under the
project PolyWEC (Proj.No. 309139) and WETFEET (Proj. No. 641334).
Biography
Marco Fontana completed his M.S. in Mech. Eng. in 2003 at University of
Pisa and his Ph.D. in Innovative Technologies in 2008 Scuola Superiore
Sant’Anna at PERCRO laboratory. He is currently Assistant Professor in
Mechanics of Machines at University of Trento. His research interests
include the design of advanced mechatronic and smart materials systems
for robotics and energy harvesting. He has contributed to the field of
robotics with innovative design concepts and control strategies for robots
and exoskeletons for human-machine interaction. More recently, his
research is focused on the design of innovative machines for renewable
energy harvesting. In this field, he is mainly working on Dielectric
waves. He provided contributes on characterization, modelling, design,
this topic, he has been PI and Co-PI of several research grants at national
and European level, acting as the coordination of the European project
Energy Scotland. Currently he is contributing to the project WETFEET
funded by European Commission. He is author of more than sixty papers
THE USE OF MAGNETO-RHEOLOGICAL FLUIDS FOR SIMULATING
ARTERIAL PULSE WAVEFORMS
Jeong-Hoi Koo
Associate Professor
Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing
Engineering
Miami University