<i>γ</i>-Ray Irradiation Effect on MCF Rubber Solar Cells with both Photovoltaics and Sensing Involving Semiconductors Fabricated under Magnetic and Electric Fields

For cases in which a robot with installed solar cells and a sensor operates in a nuclear reactor building or in space for extravehicular activity, we require elastic and extensible solar cells. More than two different types of sensing are also required, minimally with photovoltaics and built-in electricity. Magnetic compound fluid (MCF) rubber solar cells are made of rubber, so they are elastic and extensible as well as sensitive. To achieve flexibility and an effective photovoltaic effect, MCF rubber solar cells must include both soluble and insoluble rubbers, Fe3O4, TiO2, Na2WO4∙2H2O, etc. On the basis of this constitution, we propose a consummate fabrication process for MCF rubber solar cells. The characteristics of these cells result from the semiconductor-like role of the molecules of TiO2, Fe3O4, Ni, Na2WO4∙2H2O, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), natural rubber (NR), oleic acid, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), water and magnetic cluster involved in the MCF rubber. Their tendencies can be deduced by synthesizing knowledge about the enhancement of the reverse-bias saturation current IS and the diode ideality factor N, with conventional knowledge about the semiconductor affected by γ-irradiation and the attenuation of the photon energy of γ-rays.

Development of Novel Magnetic Responsive Intelligent Fluid, Hybrid Fluid (HF), for Production of Soft and Tactile Rubber

For the purpose of the replacement of Magnetic Fluid (MF) which is effective in the production of an artificial soft and tactile skin for the robot, etc. by utilizing a rubber solidification method with electrolytic polymerization, we proposed a novel magnetic responsive intelligent fluid, Hybrid Fluid (HF). HF is structured with water, kerosene, silicon oil having Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) as well as magnetic particles and surfactant. The state of HF changes as jelly or fluid by their rates of the constituents and motion style. In the present paper, we presented the characteristics of HF: the viscosity and the magnetization are respectively equivalent to those of other magnetic responsive fluids, MF and their solvents. For the structure, HF is soluble simultaneously with both diene and non-diene rubbers. The diene rubber such as Natural Rubber (NR) or Chloroprene (CR) has a role in the feasibility of electrolytic polymerization and the non-diene rubber such as silicon oil rubber (Q) has a role in defense against deterioration. Therefore, the electrolytically polymerized HF rubber by mixing NR, CR as well as Q is effective for the artificial soft and tactile skin. It is responsive to pressure and has optimal property on piezoelectricity in the case of the mixture of Ni particles as filler. HF is effective in the production of the artificial soft and tactile skin made of rubber.

Development of Magnetic Compound Fluid Rubber Sensor for Practical Usage on &gamma;-Irradiation and Energy Harvesting for Broad-Band Electromagnetic Waves

We have performed sequential studies on new types of soft rubber for their application as artificial skin in robots and haptic sensors. Based on a proposed electrolytic polymerization method and novel adhesion technique for rubber and a metal that utilizes a metal complex hydrate, we have developed an MCF rubber sensor. This sensor uses a magnetic compound fluid (MCF), natural rubber (NR-latex) or chloroprene rubber latex (CR-latex), and requires the application of a magnetic field. The potential application of the developed sensor in various engineering scenarios and our daily lives is significant. In this regard, we investigated the effects of &gamma;-irradiation, infrared radiation, microwaves, and a thermal source on the MCF rubber sensor. We established that the MCF rubber is effective enough to be used for power generation of broadband electro-magnetic waves from &gamma;-rays to microwaves, including the range of the solar spectrum, which is the typical characteristic obtained in the present investigation. The remarkable attribute is that the MCF rubber sensor dose is not degraded by &gamma;-irradiation. We also demonstrated the effectiveness of the MCF rubber sensor in energy harvesting.