Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting An exciting prospect
Fred Pimparel looks at the power and potential of piezoelectric energy harvesting, an exciting prospect for those seeking efficient new ways of generating power
material, as well as the amount and type of deformation on the material’s crystal structure and the speed or frequency of compressions or vibrations to the material.
The potential for piezoelectric energy harvesting is therefore much greater than alternative energy harvesting technologies, with the components capable of delivering up to 70 per cent of their charge.
PZT Bimorphs for vibration based energy harvesting
While quartz and ferroelectric crystals, such as tourmaline and Rochelle salt, are good examples of piezoelectric materials, ceramic lead zirconate titanate – more commonly known as PZT – is the most widely-used piezoelectric material used for energy harvesting. A key advantage of PZT materials is that they can be optimised to suit specific applications through their ability to be manufactured in any shape or size. Furthermore, PZT materials are resilient, chemically inert and resistant to high temperatures and other atmospheric pressures – all key benefits considering the greatest opportunity for piezoelectric energy harvesting is in industrial applications.
T
he process of piezoelectric energy harvesting – that of converting mechanical energy into electrical – has rapidly gained momentum in recent years for a number of reasons, primarily due to its energy efficiency and environmental benefits. There has been considerable development in applications utilising piezoelectric innovations, alongside advances in ultra low power electronics, meaning energy harvesting is no longer viewed as being a potentially unreliable source of energy transfer, capable of only low power output. While alternative energy harvesting technologies are available, such as thermoelectric or electromagnetic energy, some have a reputation for unreliability and are not always capable of providing the consistent source of energy needed. Piezoelectric energy can be harvested by converting mechanical vibrations into an electrical charge, or by placing a material under significant strain through heavy pressure. These harvesters generate electricity based on the amount of force used in compressing or deforming a
20 May 2013 Components in Electronics
www.cieonline.co.uk
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