The production of nano-scale devices has drastically increased with the rise in technological applications, yet a major drawback to the functionality of nano-sized systems is the need for an equally small energy resource.
To address this need, Hamid Foruzande, Ali Hajnayeb and Amin Yaghootian from the Shahid Charmran University of Ahvaz in Iran have been modeling new piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) technology at the nano-scale level. In their recent article, published this week in AIP Advances, the team determined how small-scale dimensions impact nonlinear vibrations and PEH voltage harvesting.
Piezoelectric materials generate electricity from the application of mechanical stress, and are utilized in everything from cell phones to ultrasonic transducers. This electricity can also be generated by vibration-induced stresses, allowing scientists to create PEHs. These PEHs can be miniaturized down to a micro- or nanosize and used in conjunction with nano-scale devices.
"Nowadays, the need for new miniaturized wireless sensors is growing. These MEMS [Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems] or NEMS [Nano-Electro Mechanical Systems] sensors usually require a power source of their size," Hajnayeb said.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting is a well-known process for converting energy available in an environment into energy that can power small electric devices. Traditionally, this has been used for generating a self-sufficient energy supply. Self-sufficiency is highly desirable for nano-scale devices due to the complicated nature of replacing small energy systems.
PEHs are gaining popularity for nano-scale applications due to their relatively simple structures, higher energy densities and ability to easily be scaled down. Macro-scale models have been extensively studied and provided a strong base point to produce nano-scale models. Foruzande, Hajnayeb and Yaghootian are taking advantage of these adaptable qualities and have generated nano-scale PEH models based on non-local elasticity theory.
Read more at: https://phys.org/news/2017-09-small-scale-energy-harvesters-large.html#jCp
The production of nano-scale devices has drastically increased with the rise in technological applications, yet a major drawback to the functionality of nano-sized systems is the need for an equally small energy resource.
To address this need, Hamid Foruzande, Ali Hajnayeb and Amin Yaghootian from the ShahidCharmran University of Ahvaz in Iran have been modeling new piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) technology at the nano-scale level. In their recent article, published this week in AIP Advances, the team determined how small-scale dimensions impact nonlinear vibrations and PEH voltage harvesting.
Piezoelectric materials generate electricity from the application of mechanicalstress, and are utilized in everything from cell phones to ultrasonic transducers. This electricity can also be generated by vibration-induced stresses, allowing scientists to create PEHs. These PEHs can be miniaturized down to a micro- or nanosize and used in conjunction with nano-scale devices.
"Nowadays, the need for new miniaturized wireless sensors is growing. These MEMS [Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems] or NEMS [Nano-Electro Mechanical Systems] sensors usually require a power source of their size," Hajnayeb said.
Piezoelectric energy harvesting is a well-known process for converting energy available in an environment into energy that can power small electric devices. Traditionally, this has been used for generating a self-sufficient energy supply. Self-sufficiency is highly desirable for nano-scale devices due to the complicated nature of replacing small energy systems.
PEHs are gaining popularity for nano-scale applications due to their relatively simple structures, higher energy densities and ability to easily be scaled down. Macro-scale models have been extensively studied and provided a strong base point to produce nano-scale models. Foruzande,Hajnayeb and Yaghootian are taking advantage of these adaptable qualities and have generated nano-scale PEH models based on non-local elasticity theory.