Non-Resonant Magnetoelectric Energy Harvesting Utilizing Phase Transformation in Relaxor Ferroelectric Single Crystals

Abstract

Recent advances in phase transition transduction enabled the design of a non-resonant broadband mechanical energy harvester that is capable of delivering an energy density per cycle up to two orders of magnitude larger than resonant cantilever piezoelectric type generators. This was achieved in a [011] oriented and poled domain engineered relaxor ferroelectric single crystal, mechanically biased to a state just below the ferroelectric rhombohedral (F R )-ferroelectric orthorhombic (F O ) phase transformation. Therefore, a small variation in an input parameter, e.g., electrical, mechanical, or thermal will generate a large output due to the significant polarization change associated with the transition. This idea was extended in the present work to design a non-resonant, multi-domain magnetoelectric composite hybrid harvester comprised of highly magnetostrictive alloy, [Fe 81.4 Ga 18.6 (Galfenol) or Tb x Dy 1´x Fe 2 (Terfenol-D)], and lead indium niobate-lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PIN-PMN-PT) domain engineered relaxor ferroelectric single crystal. A small magnetic field applied to the coupled device causes the magnetostrictive element to expand, and the resulting stress forces the phase change in the relaxor ferroelectric single crystal. We have demonstrated high energy conversion in this magnetoelectric device by triggering the F R -F O transition in the single crystal by a small ac magnetic field in a broad frequency range that is important for multi-domain hybrid energy harvesting devices.

Transduction modality near instability in domain engineered relaxor ferroelectric single crystals

“…Compared to the results of Shrout and Park [3,4] in figure 2(a), the present drive field is more than an order of magnitude lower. A compact flextensional In another development, Dong et al demonstrated the outstanding energy harvesting capabilities of this transduction modality [38,39]. This promising performance gain of has been demonstrated in other device concepts.…”

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Systems—Essentials to Successful Developments

“…Recently Finkel et al . demonstrated the above idea by using the superior piezoelectric single crystal lead indium niobate–lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate (PIN–PMN–PT) and magnetostrictive single crystal galfenol (an iron–gallium alloy).…”

A Low-Frequency MEMS Magnetoelectric Antenna Based on Mechanical Resonance

“…In recent years, with the development of magnetostrictive thin films [14,15], piezoelectric thin films [16], and multiferroic heterojunction technologies [17,18], the magnetoelectric coupling effect at the micro and nano scales has received wide attention. The magnetoelectric coupling structure can realize the dynamic transformation of electric field and magnetic field energy [19,20]. For sensors [21][22][23], applications have laid the foundation for magnetoelectric mechanical antennas [24,25].…”