Power generation using dielectric elastomer (DE) artificial muscle is attracting attention because of its light weight, low cost, and high-efficiency. Since this method is a system that produces electricity without emitting carbon dioxide nor using rare earths, it would contribute to the goal of environmental sustainability. In this paper, the background of DEs, the associated high efficiency wave energy generation (WEG) systems that we developed using DEs, as well as the latest development of its material are summarized. By covering both the challenges and achievements, this paper discusses the opportunities to build the foundation of an energy recycling society through the usage of these WEGs. To make these possibilities commercially successful, the advantages of DEs need to be integrated with traditional technologies. To achieve this, the method of using DEs alone and a system used in combination with an oscillating water column were also considered. Finally, the current status and future of DE generators (DEGs) are discussed.

High bandwidth and accuracy of the current control loop are fundamental requisites when a fast torque response is required or for facilitating the reduction of torque ripple in high‐performance drives, especially at high speed. One of the most suitable control methods to achieve these goals is dead beat current control (DBCC). Many types of DBCCs have been proposed and implemented in the literature. This study proposes a DBCC incorporating two new functionalities. One is a two steps current prediction to improve prediction accuracy when current measurements are taken place before each sampling period; and particularly to reduce the overshoot during transients when mean value is used as current feedback. The second is a novel compensation method for the rotor movement to eliminate offset errors which occur at high speed. Moreover, the dynamic and steady‐state performance of the proposed DBCC is assessed in simulations. On the basis of the simulation tests, the control parameters are tuned for experiments and the performance of the proposed functionalities are verified. Finally, the advantage of DBCC, compared with a classical dq proportional–integral current regulator, is verified in experiments.

Nowadays, more and more people are beginning to use hybrid vehicles (HVs). The drive system of HVs needs to produce the electric energy with the electric generator and gearbox powered by an engine. Therefore, the structure becomes complex and the cost is high. To solve this issue, this research proposes a new drive system design that combines the engine and a linear switched reluctance generator (LSRG). When the engine is operating, the LSRG can simultaneously assist the engine's mechanical output or can generate power to charge the battery. In this research, three research steps are executed. In the first step, the LSRG is designed according to the size of normal engine. Then, finite element analysis is used to get the data of flux linkage and calculate the inductance and translator force. Finally, Simulink models of control system are constructed to verify the performance of LSRG.

In this paper, a switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive system using variable excitation period single-pulse control for independent-wheel electric vehicle (EV) is presented. A novel single-pulse control oriented maximum efficiency and fast adaptation using excitation mode shift according to load is examined for operating stability analysis of this system under the conditions of different speed references. In addition, comparison experiments of the proposed control and a voltage PWM control are described to confirm the operating performance of experimental miniature EV system in actual operational environment.

This paper proposes a type of converter suitable for switched reluctance generators (SRGs) with a new construction. The new topology of the converter does not require capacitors on the DC bus side and performs AC-AC conversion directly by controlling the generator through phase-to-phase voltage. It can reduce the capacitor charging structure, lower maintenance costs, reduce the impact of speed variations on interphase voltage, and enhance excitation. The paper will discuss in detail the working principle and characteristics of the proposed converter, and finally, it will verify the effectiveness of the proposed method based on the simulation results. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed topology for the generator application: the three-phase excitation currents reach a peak value of approximately 120 A, and the phase-to-phase voltage is maintained within the range of approximately 100 V under the simulated operating condition, with stable waveforms and no evident distortion, confirming that the proposed new converter can reliably drive the SRG.