Coupling of a bimetallic strip heat engine with a piezoelectric transducer for thermal energy harvesting

• Published in: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Vol. 628; no. 1; pp. 15 - 22
• Main Authors: Boughaleb, J., Arnaud, A., Monfray, S., Cottinet, P.J., Quenard, S., Boeuf, F., Guyomar, D., Skotnicki, T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 23-03-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Series: 13th International Conference on Frontiers of Polymers and Advanced Materials (ICFPAM 2015)
• Subjects: bimetallic strip heat engine; Direct power generation; Electric power generation; Electronics; Energy harvesting; Engineering Sciences; Harvesters; Heat engines; material properties; Mathematical models; piezoelectric transducer; Piezoelectric transducers; Remote sensors; Thermal energy; Electrical modeling; Bimetallic strips; Transducers; Electrical energy; Wireless sensors networks; Energy harvesting; Engines; Sensor nodes; Thermal energy; Wireless sensor networks; Energy Harvester; Piezoelectric transducers; Materials properties; Piezoelectricity; Double stage; Low power sensor; Thermal model
• ISSN: 1542-1406; 1563-5287; 1527-1943
• DOI: 10.1080/15421406.2015.1137390

The field of energy harvesting became attractive due to the development of wireless sensors networks. Consequently many systems emerged to harvest wasted energies to convert it into usable electrical energy. The goal behind these harvesters is to be able to supply low power sensor nodes. The research work described in this paper deals with a thermal energy harvester based on a double stage conversion to obtain usable electrical energy. More specifically, this paper presents the properties of the materials used in this harvester. It concerns its components, its thermal modeling and optimization, its electrical modeling and finally the piezoelectric benchmark.