A Piezo Smart‐Braid Harvester and Damper for Multifunctional Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites

Abstract

The past decade has seen the rapid development of wearable electronics, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and self‐powered implantable sensors. However, these devices usually require a continuous source of power supply to operate safely and accurately while having the least reliance on conventional battery systems—due to the recharging/maintenance burdens of batteries. Vibration‐based piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) from environment, man‐made machinery, and human body movements seems to be a promising solution. Herein, the first integration of a piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) yarn‐braid microgenerator into a fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) structure is reported. It is demonstrated that the developed smart composite exhibits multifunctional performances, including simultaneous structural (with ≈10% increased Young's modulus), energy harvesting, and vibration damping (with a damping factor of 125%). The results show that an average output voltage of 3.6 V and a power density of 2.2 mW cm−3 can be achieved at strains below 0.15%, under cyclic loading tests between 1 and 10 Hz. Moreover, noticeable improvements are made in the crystallinity percentage and β‐phase content of as‐received PVDF yarns by, respectively, ≈34% and ≈37%, as a result of the applied coreless radial and axial corona poling techniques.

Recent Advances in Self-Powered Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Sensors: From Material and Structure Design to Frontier Applications of Artificial Intelligence

“…The measurement results showed that the peak value of output voltage was 380 mV and the power density of 29.62 µW/cm 3 could be produced by compressing or bending the single-fiber nanogenerator, which was about 1559% higher than previously reported piezoelectric textiles. Razavi et al [97] fabricated another single-fiber nanogenerator (Figure 5c). This structure featured a number of PVDF yarns braided around copper and coated by copper wires; it achieved excellent mechanical performance and piezoelectric properties.…”

Electrospun Core–Sheath PVDF Piezoelectric Fiber for Sensing Application

“…Compared with the traditional inorganic piezoelectric materials, piezoelectric polymers (e.g., poly­(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymer counterparts) generally show the merits of light weight, high flexibility, good compatibility, and processability. − Therefore, they are the ideal alternatives to the traditional inorganic piezoelectric materials. Accordingly, PVDF-based piezoelectric sensors have been successfully fabricated by different techniques, such as melt extrusion, injection molding, casting, electrospinning, and so on. − Among them, electrospinning, as a versatile technique, can prepare a piezoelectric nanofiber with higher β crystal content owing to in situ electric poling and mechanical stretching. Nevertheless, for most PVDF piezoelectric sensors fabricated by electrospinning, complicated post-treatments such as electrode arrangement and packaging are necessary.…”

A Wind Energy Harvester Based on Piezoelectric Magnetic Compound

“…[ 28 ] These devices often require a continuous power supply to operate safely and accurately, while with minimal reliance on conventional battery systems. [ 29 ] Single‐source energy harvesters that convert solar, thermal, or kinetic energy into small smart electronic devices and wireless sensor networks into electricity have been developed for decades. When a single energy source is insufficient to generate the required electricity, a multi‐source energy collection is indicated.…”