Multiphysics modeling and design of Galfenol-based unimorph harvesters

Zhangxian Deng; Marcelo J. Dapino

doi:10.1117/12.2085550

1 April 2015 Multiphysics modeling and design of Galfenol-based unimorph harvesters

Zhangxian Deng, Marcelo J. Dapino

Proceedings Volume 9433, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2015; 94330B (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2085550
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Iron-gallium alloys, known as Galfenol, are a class of magnetostrictive materials that convert mechanical energy to magnetic energy and vice versa. Galfenol devices especially unimorph consisting of a Galfenol beam bonded to a passive substrate, have great potential in energy harvesting applications, but advanced multiphysics models are lacking for these smart devices. This study presents a comprehensive finite element model for Galfenol unimorph harvesters which incorporates magnetic, mechanical, and electrical dynamics. Experiments considering impulsive tip excitations under purely resistive or resistive-capacitive electrical loads are conducted to validate the proposed model. The energy conversion efficiency and peak power density of a unimorph beam with a natural frequency of 139.5 Hz are analyzed experimentally. The maximum energy conversion efficiency is 5.93% when a 74 Ω resistor and a 2 μF capacitor are connected in parallel to the pickup coil in parallel. The maximum power density observed in experiments is 10.72 mW/cm³ when load resistance is 74 Ω. This performance may be optimized in the future utilizing the proposed finite element model.

Citation Download Citation

Zhangxian Deng and Marcelo J. Dapino "Multiphysics modeling and design of Galfenol-based unimorph harvesters", Proc. SPIE 9433, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2015, 94330B (1 April 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2085550

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available