Liquid-based electrostatic energy harvester using rotational motion of ferrofluid droplets

Abstract

We propose a liquid-based electrostatic energy harvester that uses ferrofluid droplets. The proposed device consists of top and bottom plates with conducting electrodes coated with a solid dielectric layer, a conducting liquid, and oil-based ferrofluid droplets. Using an external magnetic field, we experimentally verified the surfaces on which the ferrofluid actuates well. In addition, we investigated the rotational motion of ferrofluid droplets on Parylene C surface by adding surfactant of conducting liquid.