This book investigates the fabrication of different types of flexible sensors and their subsequent implementation for energy-harvesting applications. A range of techniques, including 3D printing, soft lithography, laser ablation, micro-contract printing, screen-printing, inkjet printing and others have been used to form the flexible sensors with varied characteristics. These sensors have been used for biomedical, environmental and healthcare applications on the basis of their performances. The quality of these flexible sensors has depended on certain types of nanomaterials that have been used to synthesize the conductive parts of the prototypes. These nanomaterials have been based on different sizes and shapes, whose quality varied on the basis of certain factors like crystallinity, shapes and sizes. One of the primary utilization of these nanotechnology-based flexible sensors has been the harvesting of energy where nano-generators and nano-harvesters have been formed to generate and store energy, respectively, on small and moderate magnitudes. Mechanical and thermal energies have been harvested on the basis of the piezoelectric, pyroelectric and triboelectric effects created by the formed prototypes. The work highlights the amalgamation of these sectors to spotlight the essence of these types of sensors and their intended application.

The transformation of vibrations into electric energy through the use of piezoelectric devices is an exciting and rapidly developing area of research with a widening range of applications constantly materialising. With Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, world-leading researchers provide a timely and comprehensive coverage of the electromechanical modelling and applications of piezoelectric energy harvesters. They present principal modelling approaches, synthesizing fundamental material related to mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical and materials engineering disciplines for vibration-based energy harvesting using piezoelectric transduction. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting provides the first comprehensive treatment of distributed-parameter electromechanical modelling for piezoelectric energy harvesting with extensive case studies including experimental validations, and is the first book to address modelling of various forms of excitation in piezoelectric energy harvesting, ranging from airflow excitation to moving loads, thus ensuring its relevance to engineers in fields as disparate as aerospace engineering and civil engineering. Coverage includes: Analytical and approximate analytical distributed-parameter electromechanical models with illustrative theoretical case studies as well as extensive experimental validations Several problems of piezoelectric energy harvesting ranging from simple harmonic excitation to random vibrations Details of introducing and modelling piezoelectric coupling for various problems Modelling and exploiting nonlinear dynamics for performance enhancement, supported with experimental verifications Applications ranging from moving load excitation of slender bridges to airflow excitation of aeroelastic sections A review of standard nonlinear energy harvesting circuits with modelling aspects.

Metal Oxide Nanocomposites: Synthesis and Applications summarizes many of the recent research accomplishments in the area of metal oxide-based nanocomposites. This book focussing on the following topics: Nanocomposites preparation and characterization of metal oxide nanocomposites; synthesis of core/shell metal oxide nanocomposites; multilayer thin films; sequential assembly of nanocomposite materials; semiconducting polymer metal oxide nanocomposites; graphene-based metal and metal oxide nanocomposites; carbon nanotube–metal–oxide nanocomposites; silicon mixed oxide nanocomposites; gas semiconducting sensors based on metal oxide nanocomposites; metal ]organic framework nanocomposite for hydrogen production and nanocomposites application towards photovoltaic and photocatalytic.

Wireless sensors and sensor networks (WSNs) are nowadays becoming increasingly important due to their decisive advantages. Different trends towards the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0 and 5G Networks address massive sensing and admit to have wireless sensors delivering measurement data directly to the Web in a reliable and easy manner. These sensors can only be supported, if sufficient energy efficiency and flexible solutions are developed for energy-aware wireless sensor nodes. In the last years, different possibilities for energy harvesting have been investigated showing a high level of maturity. This book gives therefore an overview on fundamentals and techniques for energy harvesting and energy transfer from different points of view. Different techniques and methods for energy transfer, management and energy saving on network level are reported together with selected interesting applications. The book is interesting for researchers, developers and students in the field of sensors, wireless sensors, WSNs, IoT and manifold application fields using related technologies. The book is organized in four major parts. The first part of the book introduces essential fundamentals and methods, while the second part focusses on vibration converters and hybridization. The third part is dedicated to wireless energy transfer, including both RF and inductive energy transfer. Finally, the fourth part of the book treats energy saving and management strategies. The main contents are: Essential fundamentals and methods of wireless sensors Energy harvesting from vibration Hybrid vibration energy converters Electromagnetic transducers Piezoelectric transducers Magneto-electric transducers Non-linear broadband converters Energy transfer via magnetic fields RF energy transfer Energy saving techniques Energy management strategies Energy management on network level Applications in agriculture Applications in structural health monitoring Application in power grids Prof. Dr. Olfa Kanoun is professor for measurement and sensor technology at Chemnitz university of technology. She is specialist in the field of sensors and sensor systems design.

Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Sensors A systematic and complete discussion of the latest progress in flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting and sensing technologies In Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Sensors, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a comprehensive exploration of the design methods, working mechanisms, microfabrication processes, and applications of flexible energy harvesters for wearable and implantable devices. The book discusses the monitoring of normal force, shear force, strain, and displacement in flexible sensors, as well as relevant artificial intelligence algorithms. Readers will also find an overview of design and research challenges facing professionals in the field, as well as a variety of perspectives on flexible energy harvesters and sensors. With an extensive focus on the use of flexible piezoelectric material technologies for medical applications, Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Sensors also includes: A thorough introduction to the working principles of piezoelectric devices, including discussions of flexible PEH and piezoelectric sensors Comprehensive treatments of the design of flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters, including the challenges associated with their structural design Fulsome explanations of the fabrication of flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters, including piezoelectric ceramic thin and think films In-depth treatments of cantilever piezoelectric energy harvesters, including optimized cantilever, bimorph, and optimized bimorph PEH Perfect for materials scientists, electronics engineers, and solid-state physicists, Flexible Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Sensors will also earn a place in the libraries of sensor developers, and surface physicists.

This book introduces an innovative and high-efficiency technology for mechanical energy harvesting. The book covers the history and development of triboelectric nanogenerators, basic structures, working principles, performance characterization, and potential applications. It is divided into three parts: Part A illustrates the fundamental working modes of triboelectric nanogenerators with their prototype structures and theoretical analysis; Part B and Part C introduce two categories of applications, namely self-powered systems and self-powered active sensors. The book will be an ideal guide to scientists and engineers beginning to study triboelectric nanogenerators or wishing to deepen their knowledge of the field. Readers will be able to place the technical details about this technology in context, and acquire the necessary skills to reproduce the experimental setups for fabrication and measurement.

Energy harvesting refers to the process by which energy is extracted from vast sources and stored for use by low-energy devices. The subjects discussed in this book that address the various aspects which fall under this field are energy conversion and storage, designing energy efficient systems, developing advanced technologies for enhancing extraction of renewable energy, etc. As this field is emerging at a rapid pace, the contents of this book will help the readers understand the modern concepts and applications of the subject. It will prove to be an invaluable resource for academicians and professionals alike.