Background

Energy Harversters utilize the ambient vibration within an object and convert it into electrical energy which provides autonomous power sources, and eliminates the need for external power sources from batteries. Energy harvesting technologies are commonly used in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). SHM is used to detect damage in existing civil structures. One type of harvester currently on the market is cantilever‑based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvesters (PVEH) which demonstrate an excellent conversion efficiency. However, challenges arise when using this approach as there is a poor response to all frequencies of vibration other than their own resonant frequency. One way to address this challenge is to enable tuning of the resonant frequency of the harvester closer to the ambient vibration frequency. To attain this, researchers have used polymer piezoelectric materials with a beating mechanism, have worked with using magnets in order to increase bandwidth, and worked with different configurations by stretching and straining. However, all of these designs do not tune the frequency range, and therefore; still pose shortcomings. There is a need for the ability to tune to different values matching with the ambient frequency to be employed by a broad scope of applications.

Technology Overview

Researchers have developed and tested a frequency tunable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (PVEH). This method makes use of low voltage‑drive actuation properties of a PVEH that integrates piezoelectric and Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) to tune over a wide vibrational frequency. This innovative IPMC has shown that the resonant frequency of the harvester was shifted to different values efficiently and effectively. In addition, the power spent on tuning the mechanism is much less than the power output, providing a significant net power gain.

Benefits

Provides a net power gain.
Ability to tune over a wide vibrational frequency.
Resonant frequency shifts to different values effectively and efficiently.

Applications

Structural Health Monitoring

Opportunity

Collaborative research
Licensing

Building and Bridges: Health Monitoring Powered by Structural Vibrations

Patents

IP Status

Seeking