Power Generation Module Research Articles

Piezoelectric-electromagnetic wearable harvester for energy harvesting and motion monitoring

This paper proposes a piezoelectric-electromagnetic wearable harvester (PEWH). The device is used to harvest the energy generated when the upper limb swings and can perform the function of motion monitoring. The main structure of PEWH consists of the piezoelectric power generation module and electromagnetic sensing module. Among them, the piezoelectric sheet in the piezoelectric module deforms and outputs electric energy, and the magnetic ball in the electromagnetic module moves to generate induced electromotive force to achieve sensing and energy supply. Through experimental testing, PEWH output performance is optimal when the spring wire diameter is 0.8 mm and the distance between the spring connector where the spring located and the position of the top of the shaft is 65 mm. At a vibration excitation frequency of 2 Hz, the device’s output voltage reaches a peak-to-peak value of 57.84Vpp, accompanied by a maximum power of 115.52mW. A range of application experiments were conducted to confirm the output performance of the device, which can power 82 LEDs and the temperature and humidity sensor. The prototype can be worn on the arm to enable monitoring of the current movement status. PEWH can effectively capture the energy generated by human movement for self-powered and self-sensing motion detection.

Recovering energy from door opening and closing process using a parallel crank-slider harvester in buildings

Recovering kinetic energy from the environment is mostly focused on the natural environment, while there is also a huge energy in the human living environment. The swing door is an indispensable equipment in the human living environment. The bidirectional swing of the door opening and closing process is rich in energy generated by human motion and thus has a large potential for energy recovery. An energy harvester for recovering bidirectional kinetic energy of the door in buildings is proposed, fabricated, analyzed, and tested. The energy harvester consists of a parallel crank-slider mechanism, a transmission mechanism and a power generation module. The external linkage is used to connect the door and the energy harvester to transmit the bidirectional swing of the door. The parallel crank-slider mechanism is coupled with two one-way bearings. This can realize the conversion of the bidirectional swing of the door to the unidirectional rotation of the central shaft. The final mechanical rectification effect is achieved. Kinematic and dynamic analyses are performed to determine the factors affecting the power generation performance. A prototype is fabricated, and experiments are conducted on it by simulating the process of opening and closing the door. The experimental results are consistent with the simulation ones. At a normal opening velocity of 90° s−1, the maximum open-circuit voltage of the harvester is 7.06 V and the average output power is 1.03 W. The highest efficiency of the harvester can reach 69.65%. The recovered energy is capable of powering the smart door lock for at least 150 s, as well as powering devices such as door lights and doorbells. This can meet the power supply needs of most electronic devices on doors in human life.

A concentration reflector device of a bifacial photovoltaic module

Abstract At present, the development of bifacial photovoltaic modules is rapid, but there is a lack of concentrating light devices in bifacial photovoltaic modules for power generation. This paper analyzes the changing patterns of solar altitude and azimuth angles and the influence of plane mirror reflection concentrating light on the performance of bifacial photovoltaic power generation. Using MATLAB programming, it calculates the pattern of change of the intensity of reflected light with the installation height h of the plane mirror. Then, a double plane mirror concentrating device is designed, which can do real-time dynamic tracking of the sun’s azimuth and altitude angle and realize the power generation capacity of the PV module is multiplied.

Metal-Halogen Interactions Inducing Phase Separation for Self-Healing and Tough Ionogels with Tunable Thermoelectric Performance.

Ionic liquid-based thermoelectric gels become a compelling candidate for thermoelectric power generation and sensing due to their giant thermopower, good thermal stability, high flexibility, and low-cost production. However, the materials reported to date suffer from canonical trade-offs between self-healing ability, stretchability, strength, and ionic conductivity. Herein, a self-healing and tough ionogel (PEO/LiTFSI/EmimCl) with tunable thermoelectric properties by tailoring metal-halogen bonding interactions, is developed. Different affinities between polymer matrix and salts are exploited to induce phase separation, resulting in simultaneous enhancement of ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and spectroscopic analyses show that Cl- ions impair the lithium-ether oxygen coordination, leading to changes in chain conformation. The migration difference between cations and anions is thus widened and a transition from n-type to p-type thermoelectric ionogels is realized. Furthermore, the dynamic interactions of metal-ligand coordination and hydrogen bonding yield autonomously self-healing capability, large stretchability (2000%), and environment-friendly recyclability. Benefiting from these fascinating properties, the multifunctional PEO-based ionogels are applied in sensors, supercapacitors, and thermoelectric power generation modules. The strategy of tuning solvation dominance to address the trade-offs in thermoelectric ionogels and optimize their macroscopic properties offers new possibilities for the design of advanced ionogels.

Chinese architecture inspired smart roof tile integrating radiation cooling, water harvesting, and energy recycling

The development of new materials for resource and energy recycling has emerged as a primary focus in addressing global energy and environmental sustainability challenges. Inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, a smart roof tile (SRT) is scientifically designed, which incorporates hierarchical micro-nanostructured polyethylene/silica/barium sulfate composites (IH-PSB), semiconductor power generation modules, and LED chips. Leveraging the combined effects of surface and interface functionalities, the IH-PSB demonstrates exceptional sub-ambient cooling capabilities, resulting in its surface and bottom temperature being 5.4 °C and 12.1 °C lower than the ambient temperature, respectively. Additionally, the precisely controlled heterogeneous wettability, with a contact angle of approximately 151° and a roll-off angle of around 32°, allows the IH-PSB to efficiently condense moisture and transport droplets. Benefiting from the excellent radiation cooling performance and precisely controlled heterogeneous wettability, the IH-PSB exhibits remarkable passive sub-dewpoint cooling efficiency coupled with efficient water harvesting performance. During a one-month outdoor experiment, the IH-PSB operated stably and continuously without any electrical input, maintaining a mass flux ranging from ∼23.2–50.0 g m−2 h−1. Interestingly, the SRT system efficiently harnesses waste heat generated by the LEDs while simultaneously regulating their temperature effectively. The development and utilization of the SRT offer a sustainable, energy-efficient, and forward-thinking solution that addresses global water scarcity and energy crises.

High performance dual-mode module for power generation and cooling based on optimized BiSbTe

Bismuth telluride is currently the most outstanding thermoelectric (TE) material near room temperature, and the high demand for solid-state refrigeration and low-grade waste heat recovery means there is an urgent need to improve its TE performance. This study investigates the enhanced TE performance of Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 through the addition of Ag2Se. The introduction of Ag promotes an acceptor doping effect, leading to increased carrier concentration, while inhibiting lattice thermal conductivity together with Se doping. As a result, a notable enhancement in the figure of merit (ZT) to 1.35 at 373 K is achieved, with an average ZT of 1.17 spanning temperatures from 300 K to 523 K. More significantly, a 7-pair TE module was integrated using p-type Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3-0.00125Ag2Se and n-type extruded BiTeSe for cooling and power generation. A competitive conversion efficiency of 5.54 % at a temperature difference of 230 K and a maximum cooling temperature difference of 63.1 K at Th = 300 K are achieved, demonstrating the enormous practical application potential of this dual-mode module.

Innovative design for thermoelectric power generation: Two-stage thermoelectric generator with variable twist ratio twisted tapes optimizing maximum output

In recent years, considerable effort has been dedicated to the development of highly efficient thermoelectric generators for waste heat recovery and thermoelectric power generation. In this study, we present employing twisted tapes with variable twist ratio to enhance thermal energy extraction efficiency, coupled with two-stage thermoelectric modules for heat-to-electricity conversion, resulting in a substantial increase in the power output of the thermoelectric generator. We established an experimental system that validated the superior power generation and heat recovery characteristics of the two-stage thermoelectric generator. Building upon these findings, we propose further optimizing the variable twist ratio twisted tapes to enhance the power output. We investigated the impact of tape pitch ratio, twist ratio, and twist ratio variation range on thermoelectric performance. Experimental results indicate that the influence of flow instability is more pronounced than that of swirl intensity, and twist tapes with the maximum twist ratio variation rate yield the highest net output power. Compared to an unmodified thermoelectric generator, the two-stage thermoelectric generator employing twist tapes with a twist ratio increase from π to 3π achieves a maximum net output power gain of up to 100%. These findings provide a practical framework for integrating innovative power generation modules and optimized heat exchanger designs into the application of waste heat recovery thermoelectric generators, marking a significant advancement in the field of thermoelectric generators.

High figure-of-merit of single-walled carbon nanotubes films with metallic type conduction

Carbon nanotubes are promising candidates for thermoelectric power generation because of their one-dimensionality mediated high Seebeck coefficient, high electrical conductivity with added advantages of flexibility, light weight, and scalability. We report the temperature-dependent thermoelectric properties of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNTs) films. The SWCNTs films exhibit p-type metallic conduction with high Seebeck coefficient (∼69.5 μVK−1) and moderate electrical conductivity (∼76 Scm−1). The films exhibit low thermal conductivity (∼0.1 Wm−1 K−1) due to phonon scattering at the interjunction region. The synergetic combination of thermoelectric properties resulted in a high figure-of-merit of ∼0.11 at 305 K. A flexible thermoelectric generator based on SWCNTs films mounted on a curved hot surface exhibited an output of 17 mV and 54 μA under a small temperature gradient of 10 K. The present work provides possible avenues for developing wearable SWCNTs based thermoelectric power generation modules for harvesting body heat.

Integrated modelling of flow-sediment transport and power generation in the Three Gorges Reservoir

Reservoirs play a crucial role in regulating runoff and generating energy. However, they also lead to significant sedimentation in the reservoir area. In this study, we propose an integrated model that combines a 1-D hydro- and sediment dynamic module with a power generation module. The model considers both suspended and bed load transports. This model is applied to the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and evaluate its performance against corresponding measurements. The results demonstrate that:① the proposed model accurately reproduces the processes of flow and sediment transport, bed deformation, and power generation during the hydrological years of 2019 and 2020. The relative errors for average discharge and bed deformation volume are <6 % and 10 %, respectively. Moreover, the calculated total power (982 × 108–1115 × 108 kW·h) closely agree with the measured values (969 × 108–1118 × 108 kW·h); ② the inflows of small tributaries have a noticeable impact on the calculated water discharge in the TGR. This impact will lead to a 16 % increase in average discharge and alter the magnitudes and occurrence times of flood peaks; ③ the flocculation of fine sediment particles significantly affects sediment transport, particularly in the sub-reach close to the dam. This flocculation will result in a 37 %–57 % reduction in average suspended sediment discharge and a 63 %–93 % reduction in peak sediment discharge. This research provides a comprehensive tool for simulating flow and sediment transport as well as power generation, which can support the optimal regulation of the TGR.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te2.7Se0.3/hexagonal BN composites and optimized modules for power generation

Bismuth telluride-based materials are well known for their excellent thermoelectric (TE) properties within the near-room temperature range. However, the poor thermoelectric performance of their n-type counterparts has posed a major hindrance to the application of bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric generator (TEG). In this study, a dual optimization approach was implemented. Specifically, 2D ceramic nano-sized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) was introduced into n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 (BTS) to enhance its performance, aligning it with p-type materials. It is indicated that ceramic h-BN decoration leads to the emergence of a high density of dislocations, which boosts the phonon scattering and reduces lattice thermal conductivity significantly. Meanwhile, a high carrier mobility is maintained to ensure an improved power factor. With the addition of moderate ceramic h-BN, the composite material achieved a ZT value of 1.1 at 400 K. The geometric configuration of TEG was optimized using finite element methods to strike the optimal balance between output power (Pout) and efficiency (η). Based on the structure optimization results, the predicted Pout and η increased by 48 % and 36 %, respectively. The fabricated TEG demonstrated to achieve an efficiency of 6.4 %. This work allows the evolution from bismuth telluride-based prototype to a functional TEG advanced in room-temperature heat recovery.

Dual response multi-function smart window: An integrated system of thermochromic hydrogel and thermoelectric power generation module for simultaneous temperature regulation and power generation

Thermochromic smart windows have the capability to intelligently adjust color and light transmission based on ambient temperature and light levels, attracting considerable attention due to their potential to enhance building energy efficiency and residential comfort. However, excessive sunlight exposure can lead to increased heat generation, potentially affecting the service life of the window. In this work, we present the development of an efficient intelligent solar thermal utilization window, incorporating heat collection, temperature regulation, and power generation functionalities. The smart window achieves light modulation by adjusting the glycerol content in the thermochromic hydrogel. In addition, the thermoelectric material is arranged in series and parallel to the smart window functioning as the power generation module. The developed smart window shows excellent sunlight modulation capability (91.2 % visible light transmittance and 99.2 % sunlight shielding rate). Meanwhile, the response temperature of the window can be adjusted from 34.5 °C to 29 °C. The thermoelectric hydrogel can generate continuous and stable current (∼75 µA) with a temperature difference of 40 ℃. The practical application proves that the generated power by the temperature difference can fully meet the switching needs of small electrical appliances. This transformation framework between photothermal-electricity conversion deserves attention in the design of future smart windows.

Decentralized Power Sharing with Frequency Decoupling for a Fuel Cell-Battery DC Shipboard Power System

The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint by adopting new energy generation and storage technologies in shipboard power systems (SPS). Fuel cells (FCs) show great potential as primary power sources when hybridized with energy storage systems (ESS). Integrating different technologies in future SPS requires the coordination of power generation and storage modules, which can be facilitated by DC technology with power electronics interfaces. However, studies on FC integration have primarily focused on small-scale applications with centralized control architectures. There has been little research on the modular control of multiple FC and battery modules in SPS. This study proposes a decentralized droop-based power sharing approach with load frequency decoupling to efficiently utilize power system modules based on their dynamic capabilities. The proposed strategy further incorporates decentralized voltage regulation and state-of-charge (SoC) management functions. The methodology was applied to a short-sea cargo vessel with an FC-battery DC power system. The results indicate that the mission load profile can be satisfied while limiting fluctuations in the FC output power. Moreover, the proposed strategy achieves the same voltage regulation performance as a centralized proportional-integral (PI) controller and can be easily tuned to achieve load frequency decoupling with the desired time constant. Finally, a comparative analysis shows how the trade-off between the dynamic operation of the FC and the discharge depth of the ESS is affected by the choice of time constant.

Enhanced mitigation of inhalable particles and fine particle-bound PAHs from a novel hazardous waste-power plant candidate

Emissions of the inhalable particle (dp < 10 μm, PM10) and their harmful compositions from combustion sources have high potential on health risk with nearly no regulation. This study investigates the particle size distribution (PSD), as well as the removal mechanism of PM10 and fine particle (FP)-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the flue gas of a hazardous waste thermal treatment system. It has ultralow regulated emission and becomes a candidate of power generation module. A series of the advanced scrubbers, cyclonic demister, and baghouse was equipped for multi-pollutant control. The moderate or intense low oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion effectively inhibited the PM2.5 generation by volumetric oxidation. Advanced scrubbers removed PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 by 85.24, 68.68, and 97.60%, respectively, which achieved by local supersaturation, heterogeneous condensation of water vapor, and the growth of fine PM. Moreover, the scrubbers effectively scavenged the course PM10 containing the high-molecular-weight PAH homologs onto the water phase but promoted the condensation and absorption of the lighter homologs onto the fine particle surface (dp ∼5.3 μm). The size window (dp = 0.3–1.0 μm) of the minimum efficiency reporting value of a BH filtration led to the peak of FP-PAH mass and BaP equivalent (BaPeq) toxicity at dp = 0.1–0.4 and 0.1–0.8 μm, respectively. Consequently, the synergy of MILD combustion and the SCB-CYC-BH system effectively inhibited the PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5-PAHs, and FP-PAH levels from a waste thermal treatment process and further mitigated the potential health risk.

Effect of B-site doping on the thermoelectric performances of Ca0.97Y0.01 La0.01 Yb0.01Mn1-2xNbxMoxO3 thermoelectric ceramics

A-, and B-site multiple-doped Ca0.97Y0.01La0.01Yb0.01Mn1–2xNbxMoxO3 was studied for improving its thermoelectric thermoelectric performance. Samples were prepared from planetary milled precursors and sintered at 1310ºC for 12 h. XRD showed that sintered samples are nearly single phase, with small amounts of CaMn2O4. SEM analysis revealed that grain size decreases with Nb and Mo content, leading to lowered electrical resistivity, reaching 6.1 mΩ cm at 800ºC in x = 0.03 samples, 60% lower than that of pristine samples. The highest Seebeck coefficient for doped samples has been obtained for x = 0.005, 210μV/K at 800ºC. A high power factor (0.46 mW/K2 m at 800ºC) has been reached for x = 0.01 samples. However, thermal conductivity did not significantly vary with composition, leading to ZT∼0.27 at 800ºC for x = 0.005 samples, among the best reported in the literature. These results suggest that multi-doping approach opens new paths for integrating calcium manganite-based materials in thermoelectric modules for power generation at high temperatures.

Визначення проєктних параметрів системи керування енергетичних космі-чних апаратів для безконтактного живлення космічної індустріальної платформи

The study of the features of near-Earth space industrialization is a promising line in space science. The scientific development of this line is rather deep, and it is carried out both at a theoretical conceptual level and at an experimental level by trying various technological processes onboard the International Space Station. One of the lines of this concept is the study of the features of designing a power system for a space industrial platform. The power system is of the distributed type, which provides for the combined use of power generation modules onboard the space industrial platform itself and an orbital constellation of power spacecraft. In its turn, the use of power spacecraft with contactless electric power transmission to a space industrial platform is intended for highly power-intensive technological processes. In view of the aforesaid, the goal of this paper is to study the features of controlling the power spacecraft of the distributed power supply system of a space industrial platform in such a way as to provide the synchronization of their operating modes with the operation sequence of the space industrial platform. A power spacecraft’s angular motion controllers are synthesized for a solar battery charging mode, a receiving spacecraft aperture pointing mode, and a waiting mode. Methodological recommendations are given on synthesizing the operation schedules of the power spacecraft of the distributed power supply system in such a way as to provide their synchronization with the operation schedules of the space industrial platform. The design parameters to be chosen in designing spacecraft for contactless power transmission to a space industrial platform are identified.

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of P-Type (Bi,Sb)2 Te3 by Incorporating Non-Stoichiometric Ag5 Te3 and Refining Te-Se Ratio.

Power generation modules utilizing thermoelectric (TE) materials are suitable for recycling widespread low-grade waste heat (<600K), highlighting the immediate necessity for advanced Bi2 Te3 -based alloys. Herein, the substantial enhancement in TE performance of the p-type Bi0.4 Sb1.6 Te3 (BST) sintered sample is realized by subtly incorporating the non-stoichiometric Ag5 Te3 and counteractive Se. Specifically, Ag atoms diffused into the BST lattice improve the density-of-states effective mass (md * ) and boost the hole concentration for the suppressed bipolar effect. The addition of Se further improves md * prompting the room-temperature power factor upgrade to 46Wcm-1 K-2 . Concurrently, the lattice thermal conductivity is considerably lowered by multiple scattering sources exemplified by Sb-rich nanoprecipitates and dense dislocations. These synergistic results yield a high peak ZT of 1.44 at 375K and an average ZT of 1.28 between 300 and 500K in the Bi0.4 Sb1.6 Te2.95 Se0.05 + 0.05wt.% Ag5 Te3 sample. More significantly, when coupled with n-type zone-melted Bi2 Te2.7 Se0.3 , the integrated 17-pair TE module achieves a competitive conversion efficiency of 6.1% and an output power density of 0.40Wcm-2 at a temperature difference of 200K, demonstrating great potential for practical applications.

탈질 설비 열원을 이용한 전력 생산용 열전 모듈의 냉각 장치 해석

탈질 설비 열원을 이용한 전력 생산용 열전 모듈의 냉각 장치 해석

High-efficiency segmented thermoelectric power generation modules constructed from all skutterudites

High-efficiency segmented thermoelectric power generation modules constructed from all skutterudites

Dual-adaptive energy management strategy design for fast start-up and thermal balance control of multi-stack solid oxide fuel cell combined heat and power system

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) hybrid system offers several advantages, including rapid start-up, effectively mitigating thermal stress and system stability. In this study, a multi-stack SOFC battery hybrid (SBH) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system is designed. A dual-adaptive control strategy for this multi-stack system is proposed. The assembly of each power generation module (PGM) in parallel is implemented and the reliability of the system is verified. The dynamic characteristics of the multi-stack SBH-CHP system and the effect of temperature on the system are investigated. The results show that the multi-stack system can achieve stability within 80 s. The transient current observed in the system reaches up to 40 A, which accounts for at least 25% of the current generated by the SOFC. The system exhibits robust and prompt dynamic response characteristics, which ultimately contribute to an extended operational lifespan. The proposed adaptive control method and adaptive energy management strategy have been proven to be effective approaches for addressing the issues associated with rapid start-up and over-temperature within the multi-stack SBH-CHP system.

Significant reduction in processing time for Ca0.95Ce0.05MnO3 thermoelectric ceramics

Attrition-milling process has been applied to Ce-doped CaMnO3 precursors to obtain small grain-size powders. The use of Ce4+ as dopant instead a Rare Earth3+ has allowed decreasing by 50% the atomic proportion of dopant, to obtain equivalent charge carrier concentration, which is required for attaining promising properties for thermoelectric applications. An impressive decrease in thermal processing time was achieved, together with an increase in thermoelectric performances, when compared to classically prepared materials. XRD and SEM analysis have confirmed that the final material is nearly single phase. Moreover, grain sizes and density increase with the sintering duration. These microstructural differences are reflected in a significant decrease in electrical resistivity, when compared to the samples prepared from ball-milled precursors (used as reference), without drastically modifying the Seebeck coefficient values. On the other hand, despite of their high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity is decreased for short time sintered materials, leading to the highest ZT values at 800 °C (∼0.27) in samples sintered for 1 h at 1310 °C. These values are among the best reported in the literature, but they have been obtained in very short time using a simple, and easily scalable process. The suggested approach presented in this work appears particularly promising for large-scale production of oxide-based thermoelectric modules for power generation.