Piezoelectric pressure harvester for autonomous sensors

Sherif Keddis; Norbert Schwesinger

doi:10.1117/12.2516353

18 March 2019 Piezoelectric pressure harvester for autonomous sensors

Sherif Keddis, Norbert Schwesinger

Proceedings Volume 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0; 1097304 (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2516353
Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

Determining the exact location of people and objects is a big benefit in times of IoT. It can achieve a tailored surrounding for humans for example by controlling lights or air conditioning systems when needed thus saving energy. It can also help with a smoother navigation for example by pointing to available spaces for parking cars or storing goods. In order to conclude an accurate location, large networks of connected sensors are required. These sensors can either be attached to the tracked target or tied to the monitored location. Either way, powering this growing number of sensors poses a challenge. Energy harvesters utilizing the transverse piezoelectric property of PVDF are proposed in order to power such sensors, eliminating the hassle of complex wiring or inconvenient battery replacements. A device that harvests mechanical energy from steps or movement using a multilayered wrap of PVDF-foils has been designed and fabricated. Depending on the application, this energy harvester can be installed in the ground of monitored locations or within the surface of tracked objects. Experimental characterizations of the energy output based on the number of windings and the required force have been conducted. A PVDF-wrap with three windings delivers 3.7 mJ when a force of 640 N, more or less the average human step force, is applied. Wireless sensors nodes, usually requiring less than 1 mJ to detect and transmit an event, can therefore be powered regardless of their location and without the need for inconvenient battery replacements.

Citation Download Citation

Sherif Keddis and Norbert Schwesinger "Piezoelectric pressure harvester for autonomous sensors", Proc. SPIE 10973, Smart Structures and NDE for Energy Systems and Industry 4.0, 1097304 (18 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2516353

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