Electricity from rubber

“We develop elastic plastics, so-called elastomers, which produce electricity when they are stretched or pressed. As an implant, the rubber could for instance run a battery-less pacemaker. At the same time, we are working on elastomers that respond to both electrical and magnetic fields. They could be used as coolers, sensors, energy harvesters or muscles. We are doing this research together with the University of Buenos Aires.”

Dorina Opris, chemist, Empa Dübendorf

Samples of elastomers (top left). They consist of thin films of a composite material made up of electromagnetic nanoparticles and elastic silicon. On both sides, the films have a layer of silver nanowire as an electrode.
They are made in a cleanroom, which Sina Abdolhosseinzadeh enters wearing protective clothing.

p3.snf.ch/project-172693

p3.snf.ch/project-173358

In the testing lab, Empa is looking for the ideal mixture of the composite material. The machine stretches and contracts the rubber. This deformation creates voltage.