We have constructed a hypothetical charge pump which converts solar energy into DC electricity. The output is generated by cyclic changes in the capacitance of a circuit, which transfers charge from a low to a high voltage. The electric field across the capacitor must be of the order of 108Vm-1 to compete with efficiencies of photovoltaics. We have modeled the output using a liquid crystal elastomer as the working substance. Efficiencies of 1-4% are obtained, and are enhanced by careful choices in the capacitor geometries and the operating voltages of the charge pump.
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Hiscock et al. (2011) studied this question.
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