Piezoelectric Rotary Energy Harvester Design, Prototyping, and Characterization
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Major
Mechanical Engineering; Chemistry Minor
Research Advisor
Stutts, Daniel S.
Dogan, Fatih
Advisor's Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Second Advisor's Department
Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
In order to power microcontrollers and low-power wireless communication hardware to monitor and control remotely located processes, a piezoelectric rotary energy harvester was designed. A ring shaped sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) separated into four poled quadrants is bonded to an elastic aluminum substrate. Spinning low-friction impingers deflect the stationary disk and cause the piezoelectric segments to slightly deflect and generate voltage. The design’s voltage responses are modeled using MAPLE and then verified through prototyping and proper data acquisition. The effect of the number and configuration of segments, the magnitude of the force applied, and the addition of alternating polarity within the PVDF segments to generate a traveling wave are additionally examined.
Biography
Jamielee Buenemann is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering minoring in chemistry interested in research and development in the energy and material science sectors. She is honored to be a recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and 2017 MAE Distinguished Research Fellowship. Jamielee is currently an active member of the Solar House Design Team, Society of Women Engineers Executive Board, Chancellor's Leadership Academy, Honor Academy, and Student Union Board. Jamielee was recognized as a National Young Woman of Distinction where she represented Girl Scouts as a national spokeswoman on sustainability. As a high school student, Jamielee presented research at the regional and international level focusing on the design and prototyping of a piezoelectric shoe insole, repurposed residential scale wind turbine with blade variance, and repurposed materials passive solar air heater.
Presentation Type
OURE Fellows Proposal Oral Applicant
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Turner Room
Presentation Date
11 Apr 2017, 9:40 am - 10:00 am
Piezoelectric Rotary Energy Harvester Design, Prototyping, and Characterization
Turner Room
In order to power microcontrollers and low-power wireless communication hardware to monitor and control remotely located processes, a piezoelectric rotary energy harvester was designed. A ring shaped sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) separated into four poled quadrants is bonded to an elastic aluminum substrate. Spinning low-friction impingers deflect the stationary disk and cause the piezoelectric segments to slightly deflect and generate voltage. The design’s voltage responses are modeled using MAPLE and then verified through prototyping and proper data acquisition. The effect of the number and configuration of segments, the magnitude of the force applied, and the addition of alternating polarity within the PVDF segments to generate a traveling wave are additionally examined.
