Publication: Investigation of the energy harvester_through biomechanical forces
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Date
2024-07-01
Authors
Thashayani A/P Sathasivam
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Abstract
This thesis investigates the efficiency of various piezoelectric materials—PZT5H, PZT-PZNM, PVDF, and PZT4—in energy harvesting and sensing applications, focusing on the forces generated by footsteps and mouse clicks. Utilising SolidWorks for modelling and the Finite Element Method (FEM) for simulation, the study analyses the mechanical and electrical interactions within piezoelectric energy harvesters. The results highlight PZT5H as a highly efficient material, producing the highest power output under both low- and high-force conditions. Specifically, in the footsteps model with a force of 825.44N, PZT5H generates 3.486 x 10-5 W, which increases to 4.046 x 10-5 W with the addition of a 50g tip mass, demonstrating that increasing the tip mass enhances its voltage and power output. This finding suggests practical applications for optimising mass to improve energy conversion. Conversely, PZT4 excels in the mouse clicks model, generating a substantial power output of 1.20d W with a force of 0.61N, attributed to its optimal performance at a resonance frequency of 264 Hz. A comparison reveals PZT4's superior efficiency in low-force scenarios, with PZT5H closely following in performance. The study confirms the achievement of all four objectives: modelling, simulating, analysing, and validating piezoelectric energy harvesting techniques, providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential and optimisation of piezoelectric materials for energy harvesting.