Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 29, 2025
09:51
A Polymer-based Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with a 3D Meshed-Core Structure
Published on: February 20, 2019
25.5K
A High-Reliability Piezoelectric Tile Transducer for Converting Bridge Vibration to Electrical Energy for Smart
Thanh Huyen Pham1, Thanh Danh Bui2, Toan Thanh Dao1
1Faculty of Electrical-Electronic Engineering, University of Transport and Communications, No. 3 Cau Giay Street, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam.
Micromachines
|May 27, 2023
Summary
This study presents a durable piezoelectric energy-harvesting tile that converts vibrations into electricity. The improved design ensures longevity and successfully powered an LED light from pedestrian footsteps, showing promise for transportation energy harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Energy Harvesting
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Piezoelectric energy transducers can convert mechanical vibrations into electrical energy.
- Existing piezoelectric harvesting devices suffer from poor durability, limiting their practical application.
- Developing robust piezoelectric energy harvesting solutions is crucial for sustainable power generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the durability of piezoelectric energy-harvesting transducers.
- To design and fabricate a novel piezoelectric energy-harvesting tile prototype.
- To evaluate the electrical performance and operational stability of the proposed transducer.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a piezoelectric energy transducer tile prototype with a flexible piezoelectric sensor, indirect touch points, and a protective spring.
- Experimental examination of the electrical output (voltage and power) under varying pressure, frequency, and displacement.
- Durability testing over 1000 operational cycles and demonstration of practical application by powering an LED.
Main Results:
- The proposed piezoelectric tile transducer demonstrated enhanced durability, functioning properly after 1000 cycles.
- Maximum output voltage of 6.8 V and maximum output power of 4.5 mW were achieved under specific conditions (70 kPa, 2.5 mm displacement, 15 kΩ load resistance).
- The designed structure effectively protected the piezoelectric sensor, preventing damage during operation.
Conclusions:
- The developed piezoelectric energy-harvesting tile offers a durable and promising solution for converting mechanical energy from vibrations into electricity.
- The successful powering of an LED light fixture from pedestrian footsteps highlights its potential for practical applications in transportation infrastructure.
- This research contributes to the advancement of reliable energy harvesting technologies for sustainable power generation.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Design Example: Strain Gauge Bridge or Wheatstone Bridge
451
The utilization of strain gauges as transducers for converting mechanical strain into electrical signals is a common practice in various engineering applications. These strain gauges are frequently integrated into Wheatstone bridge circuits to accurately measure parameters such as force or pressure. Within this context, each element within the circuit exhibits a resistance that undergoes subtle variations when subjected to mechanical strain. The primary objective is to convert minuscule...
451
01:19Vibrating Concrete
129
Mechanical vibrators are instrumental in compacting newly poured concrete within formwork and around reinforcements. This process is essential to eliminate trapped air pockets and establish a dense concrete mass. One widely used method is vibrating by internal vibrators, often referred to as a poker vibrator or immersion vibrator. It is rapidly inserted through the full depth of the freshly laid concrete and slightly extends into the layer below it (which remains in a plastic state). Consistent...
129
01:24Bridge rectifier
705
The bridge rectifier is essential in electronics for efficiently converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Comprised of four diodes configured in a bridge layout, this rectifier effectively processes both the positive and negative halves of the AC waveform, making it superior to half-wave and full-wave center-tapped rectifiers in terms of voltage regulation and output stability.
Operationally, the bridge rectifier allows current flow through two of its diodes during each...
Operationally, the bridge rectifier allows current flow through two of its diodes during each...
705
01:29Wheatstone Bridge
555
An ohmmeter is a resistance-measuring device. It works by applying a voltage to a resistor of unknown resistance and measuring the current across the resistor. The resistance value is deduced using Ohm's law. Usually, the standard configuration of an ohmmeter comprises a voltmeter or an ammeter. However, such configurations are limited in accuracy because the meters alter the voltage applied to the resistor and the current that flows through it.
Thus, for accurate resistance measurements, a...
Thus, for accurate resistance measurements, a...
555