A vibrational energy harvester element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to the first electrode; a third electrode; a fourth electrode that moves in the predetermined direction with respect to the third electrode; and a support portion that supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode so that they are movable along the predetermined direction; and wherein: the first electrode and the third electrode are disposed along the predetermined direction; at least one of facing surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of facing surfaces of the third electrode and the fourth electrode, are electrically charged; and the support portion supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode in a state in which electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrostatic force between the third electrode and the fourth electrode are balanced along the predetermined direction.

A Static Electrostatic Generator (SEG) is disclosed which produces static charges at high voltage and low current. The SEG is capable of generating positive or negative charges on a metal sphere by reversing the polarity of a DC source. The conversion efficiency of the system is about 47% and its design is simple, lightweight, and easy to manufacture. The SEG is a static device and no mechanical movement is required to produce charges. Also, the design is easily scalable.

A Static Electrostatic Generator (SEG) is disclosed which produces static charges at high voltage and low current. The SEG is capable of generating positive or negative charges on a metal sphere by reversing the polarity of a DC source. The conversion efficiency of the system is about 47% and its design is simple, lightweight, and easy to manufacture. The SEG is a static device and no mechanical movement is required to produce charges. Also, the design is easily scalable.

An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

An actuator is configured to include a first substrate that has a first conductive surface, which may be or include a first conductive electrode layer. The actuator also includes a second substrate that has a second conductive surface, which may be or include a second conductive electrode layer. The first and second conductive surfaces face toward each other across a compression space between the first and second substrates. A group of elastic support nodules span the compression space and separate the first and second conductive surfaces. The compression space is less than fully filled with solid elastic material and is configured to be compressed by relative movement of the first and second conductive surfaces toward each other in response to a voltage difference between the first and second conductive surfaces.

The vibration-driven energy harvester includes: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a holder holding the first electrode and the second electrode so as to be movable relative to each other; a half-wave rectifier electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that causes current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode to flow to an output unit, and cuts off current flowing from the second electrode toward the first electrode; and a second rectifying element electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that allows the current flowing from the second electrode to the first electrode and blocks the current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode, wherein: the first electrode has a positively charged electret in a surface facing the second electrode, or the second electrode has a negatively charged electret in a surface facing the first electrode.

The vibration-driven energy harvester includes: a first electrode; a second electrode facing the first electrode; a holder holding the first electrode and the second electrode so as to be movable relative to each other; a half-wave rectifier electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that causes current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode to flow to an output unit, and cuts off current flowing from the second electrode toward the first electrode; and a second rectifying element electrically connected to the first and the second electrodes that allows the current flowing from the second electrode to the first electrode and blocks the current flowing from the first electrode to the second electrode, wherein: the first electrode has a positively charged electret in a surface facing the second electrode, or the second electrode has a negatively charged electret in a surface facing the first electrode.

An electrostatic harvester device for charging an energy storage device is provided. The electrostatic harvester device comprises an inductor, a variable capacitor device, a semiconductor device, and a plurality of transistors. The inductor is operable to receive electric charge and store the electric charge. The variable capacitor device is configured to receive electric charge from the inductor and to change capacitance in response to physical stimulation. The semiconductor device is operable to allow electric current to flow from the variable capacitor device. The transistors are operable to connect at least two of the aforementioned devices. At least one of the transistors comprises at least one of gallium nitride or aluminum gallium nitride.

An electrostatic harvester device for charging an energy storage device is provided. The electrostatic harvester device comprises an inductor, a variable capacitor device, a semiconductor device, and a plurality of transistors. The inductor is operable to receive electric charge and store the electric charge. The variable capacitor device is configured to receive electric charge from the inductor and to change capacitance in response to physical stimulation. The semiconductor device is operable to allow electric current to flow from the variable capacitor device. The transistors are operable to connect at least two of the aforementioned devices. At least one of the transistors comprises at least one of gallium nitride or aluminum gallium nitride.

An electrostatic machine includes a drive electrode and a stator electrode. The drive electrode and the stator electrode are separated by a gap and form a capacitor. The drive electrode is configured to move with respect to the stator electrode. The electrostatic machine further includes a housing configured to enclose the drive electrode and the stator electrode. The stator electrode is fixed to the housing. The electrostatic machine also includes a dielectric fluid that fills a void defined by the housing, the drive electrode, and the stator electrode. The dielectric fluid includes an ester.