Electromechanical converter
Contents
General
In Nanosystems the power densities that are to expect to be (at least) possible with
electrostatics based electromechanical conversion at the nanoscale are conservatively estimated.
The power densities predicted to be at least possible already are unbelievably high.
Porting macroscale electrostatic machines to the nanoscale
The scaling law for electrostatic performance is very favorable for such miniaturization.
- Voltages become much lower (down to ~1V like in computer chips) – this still gives massive electric fields over nanoscale distances.
- Currents become much higher due to massive device parallelity
Designs that might need not much changes:
- pelletron
- Wimshurst machine
- The Gläser machine (or Lewandowski machine) [1] – cylindric Wimshurst machine
- A small cylindric simplified Voss machine [2]
- Lord Kelvin Replenisher [3]
- Bennet's doubler
Machines needing obvious modifications for the nanoscale:
- Kelvin water dropper
Could that be done in a nanoscale version with shooting solid-state charged pellets? - Van de Graaff generator:
Charge seperation would be done in rather different way.
Well, avoiding rubber (since not a gemstone-like compound), it would essentially become a similar to a pelletron. (replicate nanoscale charge separation mechanism)
Alternative contacting
To avoid the need for graphite tunneling contacts which need quite some surface and dissipate some power a reziprocating drive could be electrically connected with flexing nanotube connections. The flex must be low enough to not disturb the electric properties (conductivity) of the nabotube too much.
References
In the book "Nanosystems"
Treatment of electromechanical energy conversion
and electrostatics in general in Nanosystems (taken from it's glossary):
- Electrostatic actuators, 335, 336
- Electrostatic motors, 336-341, 370
- Electrostatic generators (DC), 336-341
- Electrostatic energy, scaling of, 30
- Electrostatic force, scaling of, 29
- Elecrostatic fields, 29, 200
- Elecrostatic interactions in MM2, 48, 200
Electromagnetic power densities
do not scale well down the nanoscale.
Related
External links
Here is a website with an extreme detailed collection of information regarding the history of electrostatic machines:
Electrostatic Machines written by by Antonio Carlos M. de Queiroz.
Especially interresting seem
- The Lord Kelvin "Replenisher"
- The Gläser machine (or Lewandowski machine) – cylindric Wimshurst machine
- A small cylindric simplified Voss machine – this one seems very simple to build just for fun
- A 2 disks Toepler electrostatic machine – (longer sparks than the simplified Voss machine)
On wikipedia:
Videos:
- Cylindric Wimshurst machine by Antonio Queiroz – This one is powerful and compact – nice
- Sparks from cylindrical Wimshurst machine by Antonio Queiroz
- Youtube channel of Antonio Queiroz featuring lots of electrostatic machines: [4]
- Mini Lord Kelvin Replenisher – made form drinking cup and aluminum foil
