Evaluation of flexible transducers for motion energy harvesting

Michael Collins; Sam Behrens; Scott McGarry

doi:10.1117/12.815435

6 April 2009 Evaluation of flexible transducers for motion energy harvesting

Michael Collins, Sam Behrens, Scott McGarry

Proceedings Volume 7288, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009; 72880X (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815435
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Personal electronic devices such as mobile/cell phones, radios and wireless sensors traditionally depend on energy storage technologies, such as batteries, for operation. By harvesting energy from the local environment, these devices can achieve greater run-times without the need for battery recharging or replacement. Harvesting energy could also achieve a reduction in the weight and volume of the personal devices - as batteries often make up more than half the weight/volume of these devices. Motion energy harvesting is one such approach where energy from mechanical motion can be converted into electrical energy. This can be achieved through the use of flexible piezoelectric transducer materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). A problem with these transducer materials it that their behaviour is non-linear due to operating and environmental conditions. Hence, for this reason researchers have found it has been difficult to measure the harvesting performance i.e. mechanical-to-electrical conversion efficiency. At CSIRO we are currently evaluating the performance of flexible transducers for use as motion energy harvesters. Preliminary results suggest an overall energy harvesting conversion efficiency of 0.65% for a flexible transducer material.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Collins, Sam Behrens, and Scott McGarry "Evaluation of flexible transducers for motion energy harvesting", Proc. SPIE 7288, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2009, 72880X (6 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.815435

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