Energy harvesting using integrated piezoelectric transducer in a composite smart structure for self-powered sensor applications

Abstract

Self-sensing structures are tremendously needed in transport or energy applications. Nevertheless, structures are rarely designed in advance to harvest energy in realistic operational conditions, leading to sensing functions using most of the time batteries. Thus, this paper proposes a complete application of self-powered sensing using an integrated piezoelectric transducer on a representative composite structure, namely a smart composite reduced-model car. Based on an optimized self-powered Synchronized Switch Harvesting on Inductor circuit (SSHI) coupled with a complete electromechanical behavior study, up to 40[Formula: see text] W can be harvested on a resistive load of 3 M[Formula: see text] for a linear velocity of 12.5 km.h−1. This power allows supplying a temperature sensor and its wireless transmitter, whose data can be sent each 60s. Our functionalized car is a first step toward real industrial application cases and demonstrates the ability of the proposed method to enhance the energy harvesting process on an existing weakly coupled structure and use the vibrations as an energy source for relevant embedded microgenerators and associated self-powered sensors.

Optimizing Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Mechanical Vibration for Electrical Efficiency: A Comprehensive Review

“…Two primary avenues of exploration emerge: firstly, optimizing the mechanical structure to enhance its resonant response or broaden the maximum stress bandwidth, and secondly, focusing on the electrical optimization of the energy harvesting circuit itself. The prospect of employing composite piezoelectric transducers in systems that recover electrical energy from mechanical vibrations is particularly intriguing for researchers [21,22].…”

“…These transducers are light and more and more cost-effective. However, their efficiency in the process of mechanical-electrical energy conversion remains a challenge [22]. Smart composite piezo fibers are commercially available in the 1-3 composites of the Smart Materials Corp.…”