Human passive motions and a user-friendly energy harvesting system

Abstract

Energy harvesting for wireless sensors and consumer electronic devices can significantly improve reliability and environmental sustainability of the devices. This is achieved by eliminating the dependency of these devices on rechargeable batteries, using clean and/or renewable energy sources. Energy harvesting from various energy sources is widely discussed among researchers and entrepreneurs, including harvesting energy from microscale phenomena. This topic is receiving increasing attention due to the rising numbers of low-power consumer electronic devices and wireless sensors, but also the increasing demand for more convenient and available devices. This article presents a feasibility study for an energy harvesting system based on a human’s breathing motion. The system is based on a modified pants belt that is integrated with an array of piezoelectric films and a harvesting circuit. The proposed energy harvester generates electricity from reciprocal abdominal motions of the human subject. In comparison with existing breathing-based energy harvesters, the proposed system allows for safe and convenient energy harvesting with no influence on the natural movement of the lungs. Stomach pressure analysis and measurement, as well as the design and simulations of the proposed harvester, are presented.

Flexible Lead‐Free Piezoelectric Composite Materials for Energy Harvesting Applications

“…Here we focus on harvesting mechanical energy, such as vibrations from machines, repetitive body motion or small scale impact. [3,4] Possible methods that can be used are electrostatic or electromagnetic induction and piezoelectricity. [5,6] Current emphasis is on piezoelectric materials as they can directly convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, leading to harvesters with high energy density at small volume, while they are also easy to integrate into systems due to their design flexibility.…”

Design and modeling of an innovative wave energy converter using dielectric electro-active polymers generator

“…(4) and current section area S x = wl, and expressed in Eq. (9): (9) Substituting Eqs. (8) and (9) into Eq.…”

“…Piezoelectric materials usually work under high frequencies and low deformation. 8,9 On a different trend, the dielectric elastomer (DE), which has been known as polymer or compliant capacitor, is a new technology that can be applied in WECs thank to its low cost, lightweight, simple actuating structure and good performance in low frequencies with large deformation. Finally, a composite material combining polymer and piezoelectric ceramic properties was designed to fulfill the operating requirements for integration in automobile tires.…”

Model-based design of artificial zero power cochlear implant

“…Several types of energy harvesting systems are currently developed as energy source for biomedical applications [19][20][21][22]. Based on the initial analyses and experience with energy harvesting systems, three fundamental types of energy converters in the head area can be considered: thermal gradient, mechanical movement (shocks) and bending movement of neck muscles or arteries in the head area.…”