Ocean-based electricity generating system utilizing the electrochemical conversion of wave energy by ionic polymer-metal composites

- Optimization of energy harvesting system design using IPMC for performance enhancement.
- Numerical studies of the energy harvesting system using IPMC materials operating in the ocean.
- Experiments matched to the optimized conditions to analyze energy system performance.
- The average power density at a given time of the day oscillated above 180 μW/m2.
- Prevention of the growth of algae and barnacles contributes to improved system performance.

In this research we used an energy harvesting system based on ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) to absorb the kinetic energy of the ocean waves and generate electricity. The experimental results showed that IPMC materials have many advantages, including softness and durability; they also respond rapidly to wave parameters such as frequency, amplitude, and wavelength. In addition, the 296-day recorded data showed that the average power density generated each day remained stable at approximately 245 μW/m2, the degradation of the IPMC's electrical performance in long-term operation being trivial.

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