A Review on Piezoelectric, Magnetostrictive, and Magnetoelectric Materials and Device Technologies for Energy Harvesting Applications

Abstract

In the coming era of the internet of things (IoT), wireless sensor networks that monitor, detect, and gather data will play a crucial role in advancements in public safety, human healthcare, industrial automation, and energy management. Batteries are currently the power source of choice for operating wireless network devices due to their ease of installation; however, they require periodic replacement due to capacity limitations. Within the scope of the IoT, battery maintenance of the trillion sensor nodes that may be implemented will be practically infeasible from environmental, resource, and labor cost perspectives. In considering individual self-powered sensor nodes, the idea of harvesting energy from ambient vibrations, heat, and electromagnetic waves has recently triggered noticeable research interest in the academic community. This paper gives an overview of energy harvesting materials and systems. Three main categories are presented: piezoelectric ceramics/polymers, magnetostrictive alloys, and magnetoelectric (ME) multiferroic composites. State-of-the-art harvesting materials and structures are presented with a focus on characterization, fabrication, modeling and simulation, and durability and reliability. Some perspectives and challenges for the future development of energy harvesting materials are also highlighted.

Advances in Piezoelectric Polymer Composites for Energy Harvesting Applications: A Systematic Review

“…In the case of polymer‐ceramic composites, the matrix and reinforcement dispersion geometry also alter their piezoelectric properties. Piezoelectric composites with 0–3 geometry (fillers in the form of particles in polymer matrix) shows poor piezoelectric properties, while composites with 1–3 (fillers in the form of fiber) or 2‐2 (fillers in the form of laminates) geometry exhibits superior piezoelectric properties, when the longitudinal direction of the fillers remains parallel to the direction of poling …”

Energy Applications of Magnetocaloric Materials

“…This, together with the rapid development of knowledge in the fields of materials science and physics, has diverted the attention of researchers to other solid‐state technologies. In addition to the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy through piezoelectric, magnetoelectric, magnetostrictive, triboelectric, and electrostrictive effects, various technologies have been developed for the solid‐state harvesting of thermal energy, including from low‐grade thermal sources …”

“…This, together with the rapid development of knowledge in the fields of materials science and physics, has diverted the attention of researchers to other solidstate technologies. In addition to the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy through piezoelectric, [75,76] magnetoelectric, [77] magnetostrictive, [78] triboelectric, [79,80] and electrostrictive [81] effects, various technologies have been developed for the solid-state harvesting of thermal energy, [64,77,82,83] including from low-grade thermal sources. [82,84] Over the last 20 years, in addition to thermoelectricity, much research on solid-state thermal energy harvesting (Figure 2) has also focused on thermionics [85][86][87] and thermophotovoltaics.…”

Outstanding performance of parylene polymers as electrets for energy harvesting and high‐temperature applications

“…Among the different technologies employed for mechanical energy harvesting into electricity, piezoelectric materials have a prominent place. 1 Lead zirconate titanate perovskite is in widespread use 2 but with safety recommendations to develop lead-free applications, alternative to this material must be explored. A recent paper presents an in-depth review of lead-free ceramic substitution with a focus on the piezoelectric effect.…”