Study of Cantilever Structures Based on Piezoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting at Low Frequency of Vibration

In this work is presented a study of a piezoelectric energy harvesting device used for low power consumption applications operating at relative low frequency. The structure consists of a cantilever beam made by Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) layer with two gold electrodes for electrical contacts. The piezoelectric material was selected taking into account its high coupling coefficients. Different structures were analyzed with variations in its dimensions and shape of the cantilever. The devices were designed to operate at the resonance frequency to get maximum electrical power output. The structures were simulated using finite element (FE) software. The analysis of the harvesting devices was performed in order to investigate the influence of the geometric parameters on the output power and the natural frequency. To validate the simulation results, an experiment with a PZT cantilever with brass substrate was carried out. The experimental data was found to be very close to simulation data. The results indicate that large structures, in the order of millimeters, are the ideal for piezoelectric energy harvesting devices providing a maximum output power in the range of mW

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Modeling, Validation, and Performance of Two Tandem Cylinder Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters in Water Flow

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12080872 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 872

Author(s):

Rujun Song ◽

Chengwei Hou ◽

Chongqiu Yang ◽

Xianhai Yang ◽

Qianjian Guo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Power ◽

Water Flow ◽

Energy Harvester ◽

Beat Frequency ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Total Output ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Energy Harvesters ◽

Piezoelectric Energy

This paper studies a novel enhanced energy-harvesting method to harvest water flow-induced vibration with a tandem arrangement of two piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) in the direction of flowing water, through simulation modeling and experimental validation. A mathematical model is established by two individual-equivalent single-degree-of-freedom models, coupled with the hydrodynamic force obtained by computational fluid dynamics. Through the simulation analysis, the variation rules of vibration frequency, vibration amplitude, power generation and the distribution of flow field are obtained. And experimental tests are performed to verify the numerical calculation. The experimental and simulation results show that the upstream piezoelectric energy harvester (UPEH) is excited by the vortex-induced vibration, and the maximum value of performance is achieved when the UPEH and the vibration are resonant. As the vortex falls off from the UPEH, the downstream piezoelectric energy harvester (DPEH) generates a responsive beat frequency vibration. Energy-harvesting performance of the DPEH is better than that of the UPEH, especially at high speed flows. The maximum output power of the DPEH (371.7 μW) is 2.56 times of that of the UPEH (145.4 μW), at a specific spacing between the UPEN and the DPEH. Thereupon, the total output power of the two tandem piezoelectric energy harvester systems is significantly greater than that of the common single PEH, which provides a good foreground for further exploration of multiple piezoelectric energy harvesters system.

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Study of the Properties of a Hybrid Piezoelectric and Electromagnetic Energy Harvester for a Civil Engineering Low-Frequency Sloshing Environment

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14020391 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 391

Author(s):

Nan Wu ◽

Yuncheng He ◽

Jiyang Fu ◽

Peng Liao

Keyword(s):

Output Power ◽

Energy Harvester ◽

Civil Engineering ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Electromagnetic Energy ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Piezoelectric Film ◽

Hybrid Energy ◽

Level Height

In this paper a novel hybrid piezoelectric and electromagnetic energy harvester for civil engineering low-frequency sloshing environment is reported. The architecture, fabrication and characterization of the harvester are discussed. The hybrid energy harvester is composed of a permanent magnet, copper coil, and PVDF(polyvinylidene difluoride) piezoelectric film, and the upper U-tube device containing a cylindrical fluid barrier is connected to the foundation support plate by a hinge and spring. The two primary means of energy collection were through the vortex street, which alternately impacted the PVDF piezoelectric film through fluid shedding, and the electromotive force (EMF) induced by changes in the magnetic field position in the conducting coil. Experimentally, the maximum output power of the piezoelectric transformer of the hybrid energy harvester was 2.47 μW (circuit load 270 kΩ; liquid level height 80 mm); and the maximum output power of the electromagnetic generator was 2.72 μW (circuit load 470 kΩ; liquid level height 60 mm). The low-frequency sloshing energy collected by this energy harvester can drive microsensors for civil engineering monitoring.

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Broadband Rotational Energy Harvesting Using Micro Energy Harvester

Volume 2: Mechanics and Behavior of Active Materials; Structural Health Monitoring; Bioinspired Smart Materials and Systems; Energy Harvesting; Emerging Technologies ◽

10.1115/smasis2018-8029 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jui-Ta Chien ◽

Yung-Hsing Fu ◽

Chao-Ting Chen ◽

Shun-Chiu Lin ◽

Yi-Chung Shu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Voltage ◽

Energy Harvester ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Rotational Energy ◽

Open Circuit ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Rotational Excitation ◽

Rotating Speed ◽

Piezoelectric Energy

This paper proposes a broadband rotational energy harvesting setup by using micro piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH). When driven in different rotating speed, the PEH can output relatively high power which exhibits the phenomenon of frequency up-conversion transforming the low frequency of rotation into the high frequency of resonant vibration. It aims to power self-powered devices used in the applications, like smart tires, smart bearings, and health monitoring sensors on rotational machines. Through the excitation of the rotary magnetic repulsion, the cantilever beam presents periodically damped oscillation. Under the rotational excitation, the maximum output voltage and power of PEH with optimal impedance is 28.2 Vpp and 663 μW, respectively. The output performance of the same energy harvester driven in ordinary vibrational based excitation is compared with rotational oscillation under open circuit condition. The maximum output voltage under 2.5g acceleration level of vibration is 27.54 Vpp while the peak output voltage of 36.5 Vpp in rotational excitation (in 265 rpm).

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FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF MEMS PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY SCAVENGER BASED ON PZT THIN FILM

IIUM Engineering Journal ◽

10.31436/iiumej.v20i1.991 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 90-99

Author(s):

Aliza Aini Md Ralib ◽

Nur Wafa Asyiqin Zulfakher ◽

Rosminazuin Ab Rahim ◽

Nor Farahidah Za'bah ◽

Noor Hazrin Hany Mohamad Hanif

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Voltage ◽

Energy Harvester ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Vibration Energy ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Vibration Energy Harvesting ◽

Piezoelectric Energy ◽

The World

Vibration energy harvesting has been progressively developed in the advancement of technology and widely used by a lot of researchers around the world. There is a very high demand for energy scavenging around the world due to it being cheaper in price, possibly miniaturized within a system, long lasting, and environmentally friendly. The conventional battery is hazardous to the environment and has a shorter operating lifespan. Therefore, ambient vibration energy serves as an alternative that can replace the battery because it can be integrated and compatible to micro-electromechanical systems. This paper presents the design and analysis of a MEMS piezoelectric energy harvester, which is a vibration energy harvesting type. The energy harvester was formed using Lead Zicronate Titanate (PZT-5A) as the piezoelectric thin film, silicon as the substrate layer and structural steel as the electrode layer. The resonance frequency will provide the maximum output power, maximum output voltage and maximum displacement of vibration. The operating mode also plays an important role to generate larger output voltage with less displacement of cantilever. Some designs also have been studied by varying height and length of piezoelectric materials. Hence, this project will demonstrate the simulation of a MEMS piezoelectric device for a low power electronic performance. Simulation results show PZT-5A piezoelectric energy with a length of 31 mm and height of 0.16 mm generates maximum output voltage of 7.435 V and maximum output power of 2.30 mW at the resonance frequency of 40 Hz. ABSTRAK: Penuaian tenaga getaran telah berkembang secara pesat dalam kemajuan teknologi dan telah digunakan secara meluas oleh ramai penyelidik di seluruh dunia. Terdapat permintaan yang sangat tinggi di seluruh dunia terhadap penuaian tenaga kerana harganya yang lebih murah, bersaiz kecil dalam satu sistem, tahan lama dan mesra alam. Manakala, bateri konvensional adalah berbahaya bagi alam sekitar dan mempunyai jangka hayat yang lebih pendek. Oleh itu, getaran tenaga dari persekitaran lebih sesuai sebagai alternatif kepada bateri kerana ia mudah diintegrasikan dan serasi dengan sistem mikroelektromekanikal. Kertas kerja ini membentangkan reka bentuk dan analisis tenaga piezoelektrik MEMS iaitu salah satu jenis penuaian tenaga getaran. Penuai tenaga ini dibentuk menggunakan Lead Zicronate Titanate (PZT-5A) sebagai lapisan filem tipis piezoelektrik, silikon sebagai lapisan substrat dan keluli struktur sebagai lapisan elektrod. Frekuensi resonans akan memberikan hasil tenaga maksima, voltan tenaga maksima dan getaran jarak maksima. Mod pengendalian juga memainkan peranan penting bagi menghasilkan tenaga yang lebih besar. Reka bentuk yang mempunyai ketinggian dan panjang berlainan juga telah diuji dengan menggunakan bahan piezoelektrik yang sama. Oleh itu, projek ini akan menghasilkan simulasi piezoelektrik MEMS yang sesuai digunakan bagi alat elektronik berkuasa rendah. Hasil simulasi menunjukkan dengan panjang 31 mm dan ketinggian 0.16 mm, piezoelektrik PZT ini menghasilkan voltan maksima sebanyak 7.435 V dan tenaga output maksima 2.30 mW pada frekuensi resonans 40 Hz.

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An experimental study on piezoelectric energy harvesting from wind and ambient structural vibrations for wireless structural health monitoring

Advances in Structural Engineering ◽

10.1177/1369433219886956 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 1010-1023 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Naveet Kaur ◽

Dasari Mahesh ◽

Sreenitya Singamsetty

Keyword(s):

Structural Health Monitoring ◽

Energy Harvesting ◽

Lead Zirconate Titanate ◽

Health Monitoring ◽

Lead Zirconate ◽

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting ◽

Structural Vibrations ◽

Ambient Wind ◽

Piezoelectric Energy ◽

Zirconate Titanate

Energy harvesting is an emerging technology holding promise of sustainability amid the alarming rate at which the human community is depleting the natural resources to cater its needs. There are several ways of harvesting energy in a renewable fashion such as through solar, wind, hydro-electric, geothermal, and artificial photosynthesis. This study focuses on energy harvesting from wind vibrations and ambient structural vibrations (such as from rail and road bridges) through piezo transducers using the direct piezoelectric effect. First, the potential of the piezoelectric energy harvesting from ambient wind vibrations has been investigated and presented here. Lead zirconate titanate patches have been attached at the fixed end of aluminum rectangular and trapezoidal cantilevers, which have been exposed to varying wind velocity in a lab-size wind tunnel. The effect of perforations and twisting (distortion) on the power generated by the patches under varying wind velocity has also been studied. It has been observed that the power is comparatively higher in rectangular-shaped cantilever than the trapezoidal one. Perforations and shape distortion showed promising result in terms of higher yield. The laboratory experiments have also been extended to the real-life field condition to measure the actual power generated by the lead zirconate titanate patches under the ambient wind vibrations. Next, energy harvesting from the ambient structural vibrations has been done both experimentally and numerically. Four different prototypes have been considered. The power has been measured across the lead zirconate titanate patches individually and in parallel combination. A maximum power output for Prototype 1 to Prototype 4 has been found to be 4.3428, 11.844, 25.97, and 43.12 µW, respectively. Numerical study has also been carried out in ANSYS 14.5 to perform the parametric study to examine the effect of addition of mass at the free end of cantilever. In a nutshell, this article provides a comprehensive study on the effect of various factors on the amount of energy generated by piezoelectric patches under wind and structural vibrations. The energy generated is sufficient for driving low-power-consuming electronics that can further be used for other applications like wireless structural health monitoring, and so on.

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Experimental Study on Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Vortex-Induced Vibrations and Wake-Induced Vibrations

Journal of Sensors ◽

10.1155/2016/2673292 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Min Zhang ◽

Junlei Wang

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Output Voltage ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Load Resistance ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Piezoelectric Energy ◽

Vortex Induced Vibrations ◽

Flow Induced Vibrations ◽

Generation Capacity ◽

Output Characteristics

A rigid circular cylinder with two piezoelectric beams attached on has been tested through vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and wake-induced vibrations (WIV) by installing a big cylinder fixed upstream, in order to study the influence of the different flow-induced vibrations (FIV) types. The VIV test shows that the output voltage increases with the increases of load resistance; an optimal load resistance exists for the maximum output power. The WIV test shows that the vibration of the small cylinder is controlled by the vortex frequency of the large one. There is an optimal gap of the cylinders that can obtain the maximum output voltage and power. For a same energy harvesting device, WIV has higher power generation capacity; then the piezoelectric output characteristics can be effectively improved.

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A micro power management system and maximum output power control for solar energy harvesting applications

Proceedings of the 2007 international symposium on Low power electronics and design - ISLPED '07 ◽

10.1145/1283780.1283844 ◽

2007 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Hui Shao ◽

Chi-Ying Tsui ◽

Wing-Hung Ki

Keyword(s):

Energy Harvesting ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Power Control ◽

Power Management ◽

Output Power ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Solar Energy Harvesting ◽

Micro Power ◽

Power Management System

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Performance Evaluation of a Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Based on Flag-Flutter

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi11100933 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 933 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Hassan Elahi ◽

Marco Eugeni ◽

Federico Fune ◽

Luca Lampani ◽

Franco Mastroddi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Performance Evaluation ◽

Wind Tunnel ◽

Energy Harvesting ◽

Energy Harvester ◽

Maximum Output Power ◽

Research Work ◽

Maximum Output ◽

Operational Environment ◽

Subsonic Wind Tunnel ◽

Piezoelectric Energy

In the last few decades, piezoelectric (PZT) materials have played a vital role in the aerospace industry because of their energy harvesting capability. PZT energy harvesters (PEH) absorb the energy from an operational environment and can transform it into useful energy to drive nano/micro-electronic components. In this research work, a PEH based on the flag-flutter mechanism is presented. This mechanism is based on fluid-structure interaction (FSI). The flag is subjected to the axial airflow in the subsonic wind tunnel. The performance evaluation of the harvester and aeroelastic analysis is investigated numerically and experimentally. A novel solution is presented to extract energy from Limit Cycle Oscillations (LCOs) phenomenon by means of PZT transduction. The PZT patch absorbs the flow-induced structural vibrations and transforms it into electrical energy. Furthermore, the optimal resistance and length of the flag is predicted to maximize the energy harvesting. Different configurations of flag i.e., with Aluminium (Al) patch and PZT patch for flutter mode vibration mode are studied numerically and experimentally. The bifurcation diagram is constructed for the experimental campaign for the flutter instability of a cantilevered flag in subsonic wind-tunnel. Moreover, the flutter boundary conditions are analysed for reduced critical velocity and frequency. The designed PZT energy harvester via flag-flutter mechanism is suitable for energy harvesting in aerospace engineering applications to drive wireless sensors. The maximum output power that can be generated from the designed harvester is 6.72 mW and the optimal resistance is predicted to be 0.33 MΩ.

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