Sensors and energy harvesters based on (1–x)PMN-xPT piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

With recent advancements in energy conversion mechanisms, piezoelectric ceramics (1–x)PbMg1/3 Nb2/3Ο3-xPbTiΟ3 (1–x)PMN-xPT have demonstrated their abilities for converting mechanical vibrations into electricity. Three (1–x)PMN-xPT compositions were used in the present work with (x = 0.25, 0.31 and 0.33). The purpose of this paper is to investigate their piezoelectric performance as generators for energy harvesting applications. The energy harvester is numerically analyzed in this work. It consists of a piezoelectric bimorph clamped at one end to vibrating machinery, and a proof mass mounted on its other end. The energy harvester is also analyzed and experimental measurements of the harvested power are compared to the simulation results. A good agreement was observed between the experimental and the simulations results. According the application to exploit the vibrations of a hot air extractor, the results show that the harvested energy density of solid ceramics (1–x)PMN-xPT is 0.043 W/m2.