P. Gasnier | Searcharxiv

arXiv2019

Modelling and design of highly coupled piezoelectric energy harvesters for broadband applications

This paper reports a method to design highly coupled piezoelectric energy harvesters with frequency tuning capabilities using nonlinear electrical techniques. A cantilever beam with two PMN-PT patches has been optimized thanks to both analytical modelling and Finite Element Methods (FEM). The built prototype exhibits a strong electromechanical coupling (k${}^2$=17.6%) and a figure of merit (km${}^2$Q=12.4) which allow a bandwidth corresponding to 22% of the resonant frequency value.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2013

Bimetal-and-electret-based thermal energy harvesters - Application to a battery-free Wireless Sensor Node

This paper introduces a thermal energy harvester turning thermal gradients into electricity by coupling a bimetallic strip to an electret-based converter: the bimetallic strip behaves as a thermal-to-mechanical power converter turning thermal gradients into mechanical oscillations that are finally converted into electricity with the electret. Output powers of 5.4uW were reached on a hot source at 70°C, and, contrary to the previous proofs of concept, the new devices presented in this paper do not require forced convection to work, making them compatible with standard conditions of thermal energy harvesting and environments such as hot pipes, pumps and more generally industrial equipment. Finally, ten energy harvesters have been parallelized and combined to a self-starting power management circuit made of a flyback converter to supply a battery-free Wireless Temperature Sensor Node, sending information every 100 seconds after its startup state.

physics.class-ph↗