Abstract
In this paper, a homogenised finite element model is developed to predict the energy harvesting capabilities of a porous piezoelectric energy harvester. The harvester consists of a porous piezoelectric patch bonded to a cantilever beam. The material properties of the porous piezoelectric material are estimated by the Mori-Tanaka homogenisation method, which is an analytical method that provides the material properties as a function of the porosity of the piezoelectric composite. These material properties are then used in a finite element model of the harvester that predicts the deformation and voltage output for a given base excitation of the cantilever beam, onto which the piezoelectric element is bonded. Experiments are performed to validate the numerical model, based on the fabrication and testing of several demonstrators composed of porous piezoelectric patches with different percentages of porosity bonded to an aluminium cantilever beam. The electrical load is simulated using a resistor and the voltage is measured to estimate the energy generated. The beam is excited in a range of frequencies close to the first and second modes using base excitation. The effects of the porosity and the assumptions made for homogenisation are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | 8th Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, SMART 2017 and 6th International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, SMN 2017 |
Publisher | International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering |
Pages | 630-641 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9788494690938 |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2017 |
Event | 8th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, SMART 2017 and 6th International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, SMN 2017 - Madrid, Spain Duration: 5 Jun 2017 → 8 Jun 2017 |
Conference
Conference | 8th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Smart Structures and Materials, SMART 2017 and 6th International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology in Engineering, SMN 2017 |
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Country/Territory | Spain |
City | Madrid |
Period | 5/06/17 → 8/06/17 |
Funding
This research is supported by Aerospace Technology Institute in the framework of “Exploiting Aeroelastic Deflections For Improved Aircraft Performance” project. The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Sêr Cymru National Research Network and Swansea University through a Postgraduate Scholarship NRN-103. The authors would like to acknowledge the support from Morgan Advanced Ceramics PLC.
Keywords
- Energy harvesting
- Model validation
- Physical experiment
- Piezoelectricity
- Porous material
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- General Energy
- Pollution