Energy harvesting from quasi-static deformations via bilaterally constrained strips

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (18) ◽  
pp. 3572-3581
Author(s):  
Suihan Liu ◽  
Ali Imani Azad ◽  
Rigoberto Burgueño

Piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient vibrations is well studied, but harvesting from quasi-static responses is not yet fully explored. The lack of attention is because quasi-static actions are much slower than the resonance frequency of piezoelectric oscillators to achieve optimal outputs; however, they can be a common mechanical energy resource: from large civil structure deformations to biomechanical motions. The recent advances in bio-micro-electro-mechanical systems and wireless sensor technologies are motivating the study of piezoelectric energy harvesting from quasi-static conditions for low-power budget devices. This article presents a new approach of using quasi-static deformations to generate electrical power through an axially compressed bilaterally constrained strip with an attached piezoelectric layer. A theoretical model was developed to predict the strain distribution of the strip’s buckled configuration for calculating the electrical energy generation. Results from an experimental investigation and finite element simulations are in good agreement with the theoretical study. Test results from a prototyped device showed that a peak output power of 1.33 μW/cm2 was generated, which can adequately provide power supply for low-power budget devices. And a parametric study was also conducted to provide design guidance on selecting the dimensions of a device based on the external embedding structure.

Author(s):  
A. Majeed

Recent advancements in wireless technology and low power electronics such as micro electrome-chanical systems (MEMS), have created a surge of technical innovations in the eld of energy har-vesting. Piezoelectric materials, which operate on vibrations surrounding the system have becomehighly useful in terms of energy harvesting. Piezoelectricity is the ability to transform mechanicalstrain energy, mostly vibrations, to electrical energy, which can be used to power devices. This paperwill focus on energy harvesting by piezoelectricity and how it can be incorporated into various lowpower devices and explain the ability of piezoelectric materials to function as self-charging devicesthat can continuously supply power to a device and will not require any battery for future processes.


Author(s):  
Wander G. R. Vieira ◽  
Fred Nitzsche ◽  
Carlos De Marqui

Converting aeroelastic vibrations into electricity for low-power generation has received growing attention over the past few years. Helicopter blades with embedded piezoelectric elements can provide electrical energy to power small electronic components. In this paper, the non-linear modeling and analysis of an electromechanically coupled cantilevered helicopter blade is presented for piezoelectric energy harvesting. A resistive load is considered in the electrical domain of the problem in order to quantify the electrical power output. The non-linear electromechanical model is derived based on the Variational-Asymptotic Method (VAM). The coupled non-linear rotary system is solved in the time-domain. A generalized-α integration method is used to guarantee numerical stability, adding numerical damping at high frequencies. The electromechanical behavior of the coupled rotating blade is investigated for increasing rotating speeds (stiffening effect).


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaiyan Jettanasen ◽  
Panapong Songsukthawan ◽  
Atthapol Ngaopitakkul

This study investigates the use of an alternative energy source in the production of electric energy to meet the increasing energy requirements, encourage the use of clean energy, and thus reduce the effects of global warming. The alternative energy source used is a mechanical energy by piezoelectric material, which can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, that can convert mechanical energy from pressure forces and vibrations during activities such as walking and traveling into electrical energy. Herein, a pilot device is designed, involving the modification of a bicycle into a stationary exercise bike with a piezoelectric generator, to study energy conversion and storage generated from using the bike. Secondly, the piezoelectric energy harvesting system is used on bicycles as a micro-mobility, light electric utility vehicle with smart operation, providing a novel approach to smart city design. The results show that the energy harvested from the piezoelectric devices can be stored in a 3200 mAh, 5 V battery and power sensors on the bicycle. Moreover, 13.6 mW power can be generated at regular cycling speed, outputting 11.5 V and 1.2 mA. Therefore, the piezoelectric energy harvesting system has sufficient potential for application as a renewable energy source that can be used with low power equipment.


Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (43) ◽  
pp. 20527-20533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanggon Kim ◽  
Gerardo Ico ◽  
Yaocai Bai ◽  
Steve Yang ◽  
Jung-Ho Lee ◽  
...  

Magneto–mechano–electrical energy conversion in poly(vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) piezoelectric nanofibers integrated with magnetic nanoparticles in a particle-shape dependent manner.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 155892501300800
Author(s):  
François M. Guillot ◽  
Haskell W. Beckham ◽  
Johannes Leisen

In the past few years, the growing need for alternative power sources has generated considerable interest in the field of energy harvesting. A particularly exciting possibility within that field is the development of fabrics capable of harnessing mechanical energy and delivering electrical power to sensors and wearable devices. This study presents an evaluation of the electromechanical performance of hollow lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibers as the basis for the construction of such fabrics. The fibers feature individual polymer claddings surrounding electrodes directly deposited onto both inside and outside ceramic surfaces. This configuration optimizes the amount of electrical energy available by placing the electrodes in direct contact with the surface of the material and by maximizing the active piezoelectric volume. Hollow fibers were electroded, encapsulated in a polymer cladding, poled and characterized in terms of their electromechanical properties. They were then glued to a vibrating cantilever beam equipped with a strain gauge, and their energy harvesting performance was measured. It was found that the fibers generated twice as much energy density as commercial state-of-the-art flexible composite sensors. Finally, the influence of the polymer cladding on the strain transmission to the fiber was evaluated. These fibers have the potential to be woven into fabrics that could harvest mechanical energy from the environment and could eventually be integrated into clothing.


Author(s):  
Zheqi Lin ◽  
Hae Chang Gea ◽  
Shutian Liu

Converting ambient vibration energy into electrical energy using piezoelectric energy harvester has attracted much interest in the past decades. In this paper, topology optimization is applied to design the optimal layout of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. The objective function is defined as to maximize the energy harvesting performance over a range of ambient vibration frequencies. Pseudo excitation method (PEM) is applied to analyze structural stationary random responses. Sensitivity analysis is derived by the adjoint method. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed approach.


Author(s):  
Jingnan Zhao ◽  
Hao Wang

This study investigated the feasibility of applying piezoelectric energy harvesting technology in airfield pavements through mechanistic modeling and economic analysis. The energy harvesting performance of piezoelectric transducers was evaluated based on mechanical energy induced by multi-wheel aircraft loading on flexible airfield pavements. A three-dimensional finite element model was used to estimate the stress pulse and magnitude under moving aircraft tire loading. A stack piezoelectric transducer design was used to estimate the power output of a piezoelectric harvester embedded at different locations and depths in the pavement. The aircraft load and speed were found to be vital factors affecting the power output, along with the installation depth and horizontal locations of the energy harvester. On the other hand, the installation of the energy module had a negligible influence on the horizontal tensile strains at the bottom of the asphalt layer and compressive strains on the top of the subgrade. However, the near-surface pavement strains increased when the edge ribs of the tire were loaded on the energy module. Feasibility analysis results showed that the calculated levelized cost of electricity was high in general, although it varies depending on the airport traffic levels and the service life of the energy module. With the development of piezoelectric materials and technology, further evaluation of energy harvesting applications at airports needs to be conducted.


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