Bistable dielectric elastomer generator with reduced and adjustable stiffness characteristics

Abstract This paper presents a novel energy harvesting system based on a dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) integrated with nonlinear mechanical elements to enable bistable operation and enhance energy conversion. A comprehensive dynamic model is developed using an energy-based approach to consistently describe the coupled electromechanical behavior of the system. The proposed DEG concept is characterized by equibiaxial deformation and tailored stiffness, allowing efficient energy harvesting at reduced actuation effort. Experimental results validate the model and demonstrate that the combination of nonlinearities and bistability significantly improves performance. The system is suitable for broadband ambient excitations and offers a promising approach toward more effective soft energy harvesters.