The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Piezoelectric materials hold great promise as sensors and as energy harvesters but are normally much less effective at high temperatures, limiting their use in environments such as engines or space exploration. A new piezoelectric device was developed that remains highly effective at elevated temperatures.
Piezoelectric materials generate an electric charge when rapidly compressed by a mechanical force during vibrations or motion such as from machinery or an engine. This can serve as a sensor to measure changes in pressure, temperature, strain, or acceleration. Potentially, piezoelectrics could power a range of devices from personal electronics like wristband devices to bridge stability sensors.
Researchers integrated the material into a version of a piezoelectric energy harvester technology called a bimorph that enables the device to act as a sensor, an energy harvester, or an actuator. A bimorph has two piezoelectric layers shaped and assembled to maximize efficient energy harvesting. Sensors and energy harvesters, while bending the bimorph structure, generate an electrical signal for measurement or act as a power source.
Unfortunately, these functions work less effectively in high-temperature environments. Current state-of-the-art piezoelectric energy harvesters are normally limited to a maximum effective operating temperature range of 176 °F (80 °C) to 248 °F (120 °C).
The new piezoelectric material composition showed a near-constant efficient performance at temperatures up to 482 °F (250 °C). In addition, while there was a gradual dropoff in performance above 482 °F (250 °C), the material remained effective as an energy harvester or sensor at temperatures to well above 572 °F.
Another benefit of the material was an unexpectedly high level of electricity production. While at present, piezoelectric energy harvesters are not at the level of more efficient power producers such as solar cells, the new material’s performance was strong enough to open possibilities for other applications; for example, as a continuous, battery-free power supply in dark or concealed environments such as inside an automotive system or even the human body.
For more information, contact David Pacchioli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
This article first appeared in the August, 2022 issue of Tech Briefs Magazine.
Read more articles from the archives here.
Webb Telescope Mirror Tech Improves Eye Surgery on Earth
NASA Ventures to the Moon and Beyond
A New Kind of Transistor — A Conductive Polymer
5 Ws of Gel Film for Water Harvesting
An Engineer Uses an Ancient Art to Solve a Very Modern Problem
Where Do Technological Innovations Come From?
Integrated Modeling and Simulation of Airframe Structures in the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Making Medical Devices Smarter
How to Increase Productivity in EV Design by Leveraging Thermal Simulation
Improve Speed and Accuracy of Electronic Component Inspection with Automated Video Inspection
Medical Device Biofilms: Slimy, Sticky, Stubborn, and Serious
Building the AI/ML Data Autobahn for ADAS/AV Development
Humans in the Loop Help Robots Find Their Way
Reliability Testing of High-Power Devices
Artificial Skin Gives Robots a Sense of Touch
3D Printing of Organic Electronics
MIT Engineers Devise a Recipe for Improving Any Autonomous Robotic System
Carbon Fiber Structural Battery for “Mass-Less” Energy Storage in Vehicles
By submitting your personal information, you agree that SAE Media Group and carefully selected industry sponsors of this content may contact you and that you have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.
You may reach us at privacy@saemediagroup.com.
You may unsubscribe at any time.
© 2009-2022 Tech Briefs Media Group