This book presents new approaches to R&D of piezoelectric actuators and generators of different types based on established, original constructions and contemporary research into framework of theoretical, experimental, and numerical methods of physics, mechanics, and materials science. Improved technical solutions incorporated into the devices demonstrate high output values of voltage and power, allowing application of the goods in various areas of energy harvesting. The book is divided into seven chapters, each presenting main results of the chapter, along with a brief exposition of novel findings from around the world proving context for the author’s results. It presents particular results of the Soviet and Russian schools of Mechanics and Material Sciences not previously available outside of Russia.

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.

Piezoelectric Aeroelastic Energy Harvesting explains the design and implementation of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices based on fluid-structure interaction. There is currently an increase in demand for low power electronic instruments in a range of settings, and recent advances have driven their energy consumption downwards. As a result, the possibility to extract energy from an operational environment is of growing significance to industry and academic research globally. This book solves problems related to the integration of smart structures with the aeroelastic system, addresses the importance of the aerodynamic model on accurate prediction of the performance of the energy harvester, describes the overall effect of the piezoelectric patch on the dynamics of the system, and explains different mechanisms for harvesting energy via fluid-structure interaction. This wealth of innovative technical information is supported by introductory chapters on piezoelectric materials, energy harvesting and circuits, and fluid structure interaction, opening this interdisciplinary topic up for readers with a range of backgrounds. - Provides new designs of piezoelectric energy harvesters for fluid-structure interaction - Explains how to correctly model aerodynamics for effective aeroelastic energy harvesting - Numerical examples allow the reader to practice the design, modeling and implementation of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices

APC International, Ltd.'s textbook on the principles and applications of piezoelectric ceramics covers: general principles of piezoelectricity and behavior of piezoelectric ceramic elements fundamental mathematics of piezoelectricity traditional and experimental applications for piezoelectric materials, and related physical principles for each application: audible sound producers, flow meters, fluid level sensors, motors, pumps, delay lines, transformers, other apparatus introduction to single crystals, composites, and other latest-generation piezoelectric materials Contents Introduction piezoelectricity / piezoelectric constants behavior / stability of piezoelectric ceramic elements new materials: relaxors / single crystals / others characteristics of piezoelectric materials from APC International, Ltd. Generators generators solid state batteries Sensors axial sensors flexional sensors special designs and applications: composites / SAW sensors / others Actuators axial and transverse actuators: simple / compound (stack) / multilayer flexional actuators / flextensional devices applications for piezoelectric actuators Transducers audible sound transducers generating ultrasonic vibrations in liquids or solids transmitting ultrasonic signals in air or water flow meters / fluid level sensors / delay lines / transformers / composites Miscellaneous securing a piezoelectric ceramic element attaching electrical leads testing performance Note: This is a 2nd edition to APC's textbook published in 2002. Updates in the 2nd edition reflect changes to APC's product lines and corrections outlined on the errata sheet distributed with the 2002 edition.

Energy Harvesting Technologies provides a cohesive overview of the fundamentals and current developments in the field of energy harvesting. In a well-organized structure, this volume discusses basic principles for the design and fabrication of bulk and MEMS based vibration energy systems, theory and design rules required for fabrication of efficient electronics, in addition to recent findings in thermoelectric energy harvesting systems. Combining leading research from both academia and industry onto a single platform, Energy Harvesting Technologies serves as an important reference for researchers and engineers involved with power sources, sensor networks and smart materials.

Energy Harvesting Autonomous Sensor Systems: Design, Analysis, and Practical Implementation provides a wide range of coverage of various energy harvesting techniques to enable the development of a truly self-autonomous and sustainable energy harvesting wireless sensor network (EH-WSN). It supplies a practical overview of the entire EH-WSN system from energy source all the way to energy usage by wireless sensor nodes/network. After an in-depth review of existing energy harvesting research thus far, the book focuses on: Outlines two wind energy harvesting (WEH) approaches, one using a wind turbine generator and one a piezoelectric wind energy harvester Covers thermal energy harvesting (TEH) from ambient heat sources with low temperature differences Presents two types of piezoelectric-based vibration energy harvesting systems to harvest impact or impulse forces from a human pressing a button or switch action Examines hybrid energy harvesting approaches that augment the reliability of the wireless sensor node’s operation Discusses a hybrid wind and solar energy harvesting scheme to simultaneously use both energy sources and therefore extend the lifetime of the wireless sensor node Explores a hybrid of indoor ambient light and TEH scheme that uses only one power management circuit to condition the combined output power harvested from both energy sources Although the author focuses on small-scale energy harvesting, the systems discussed can be upsized to large-scale renewable energy harvesting systems. The book goes beyond theory to explore practical applications that not only solve real-life energy issues but pave the way for future work in this area.

This unique resource provides a detailed understanding of the options for harvesting energy from localized, renewable sources to supply power to autonomous wireless systems. You are introduced to a variety of types of autonomous system and wireless networks and discover the capabilities of existing battery-based solutions, RF solutions, and fuel cells. The book focuses on the most promising harvesting techniques, including solar, kinetic, and thermal energy. You also learn the implications of the energy harvesting techniques on the design of the power management electronics in a system. This in-depth reference discusses each energy harvesting approach in detail, comparing and contrasting its potential in the field.