A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, and has been considered as a substitute for continuous power supply due to its high performance, simple structure and eco-friendliness. Recently, it is important to develop a TENG using a non-toxic material in order to use it as a power source for wearable, attachable, and body-embeddable electronics. Here, we developed a human friendly TENG using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel containing acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), a non-toxic plasticizer. PVC gels were fabricated using various ratios of PVC and ATBC, and optimized by investigating dielectric properties, surface potential, output performance, and durability. The PVC gel based TENG generates output signals of 73 V and 4.3 μA, i.e., a 5-fold enhancement in the output power compared to pristine PVC-based TENG. In addition, the PVC gel can be stretched over 500% of strain. This study is expected to be helpful in the future development of non-toxic wearable TENG.

Among several types of energy saving smart window technologies, the leader, the dynamic EC (electrochromic) window one needs integrated PV (photovoltaics), to minimize expensive electrical wiring as well as to obviate the need for external energy. Self-powered smart windows were reviewed according to PV types used. DSSCs (dye sensitized solar cells) were found to be compatible with EC cells, to have several categories of next generation smart windows such as PECCs (photoelectrochromic cells), PVCCs (photovoltachromic cells), EC polymer PECCs. In addition silicon solar cells and third generation solar cells were investigated. They are summarized in a table showing their advantages and disadvantages respectively for a fast comparison. The strategy to expedite the commercialization of these next generation smart windows includes developing retrofit smart window coverings for use on flexible polymer substrates adhered to the inside surface of a window and easily replaced after use for upto 10 years.

From UV irradiation, we achieved homeotropic liquid crystal alignment on blended photo-polymer layer which is composed of polyvinyl-cinnamate (PVCi) and homeotropic polyimide (PI). From vertical alignment (VA) mode, we measured threshold voltages by various PVCi doping concentration. Also, the rise time and fall time of VA cells were measured to verify the best doping concentration. Transmittance curves showed about 70% value between 380 nm and 780 nm wavelength which mean visible region.

In this thesis, the partial discharge according to applied voltage and variations of cross-sectional area and length of the conductor related to general condition for using cable was measured in order to study degradation diagnosis for 2-Core cable of the PVC insulator used in industrial fields for other safety installations. Also the thermal degradation conditions under various installation circumstances of cables were studied by assuming degradation conditions with each different degradation rate (50%, 67%, 100%) such as variation in degradated temperature, thermal exposure time, normal state, partially degradated state and overall degradated state for thermal degradation diagnosis. The quantity of electric discharge (V-Q) according to applied voltage was measured for measurement of inception voltage and extinction voltage. The quantity of electric discharge and the number of electric discharge (Q-N) were measured with applied voltage kept constantly. In addition, pictures were taken using SEM (scanning electron microscope) to compare the surface of external insulator to degradated state of internal insulator according to thermal degradation temperature and also compare the surface of external insulator to degradated surface state of internal insulator according exposure time of cables to thermal stress.