THE APPLICATION OF PIEZOELECTRIC EFFECT IN HARVESTING ENERGY

Abstract

This article focuses on one of potential uses of piezoelectric effect in devices of mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion (energy harvesters). In these devices, if a piezoelectric element is excited by external forces, it will vibrate and create electric charges on the surface of piezoelectric materials due to converse piezoelectric effect. An AC piezoelectric voltage or current generated by the charges could be rectified to DC voltage in order to use for highly effective and low power electronic devices. In this work, we have selected highly stable piezoelectric elements and these materials could undergo strong vibrations as well as modelling a converting structure to optimize electric energy from mechanical vibrations. It is considered as clean and “infinite” lifespan micro-sources of energy.