Self-contained Power Sources Research Articles

Studies on the TEG with changes in temperature difference and material properties

The thermoelectric generators are solid-state devices that produce electricity. They are designed to harness unused energy, or “waste heat”. These devices were primarily utilized in military and space projects due to their reliability as a self-contained power source, requiring minimal maintenance. Additionally, they are environmentally sustainable and renewable sources of energy, emitting no air or noise pollution. According to research, Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) have a relatively low efficiency rate of less than 5%. However, they hold the potential to effectively harness low-temperature waste heat, making them a promising energy source for the purpose of charging battery cells or super capacitors utilized in autonomous sensors. This study analyses the feasibility of generating electricity through segmented TEGs operating at temperatures below 296 K. Thermoelectric materials were studied to improve the conversion efficiency of the TEG. Furthermore, an investigation was conducted on the configuration of the thermoelectric generator. The COMSOL Metaphysics software is used to design and stimulate the segmented TEG model. This model is initially derived from an existing generator and is known for its accurate outcomes. The study revealed that using an alloy consisting of 75% Bi2Te3, and 25% as a substitute for the thermoelectric material PbSe0.5Te0.5, which led to a significant increase in conversion efficiency and output voltage. A segmented TEG model exhibited higher conversion efficiency. The model is subsequently refined by incorporating various modifications aimed at improving its conversion efficiency.

Nanocomposite Micropower Alternative Power Sources for Electronic Technology

Modern process methods and approaches to production of useful electrode materials make it possible to design alternative power sources, in particular, fuel cells with high specific characteristics. Owing to their unique properties, carbon nanotubes and porous silicon are the most promising materials for developing micropower current sources. Substrates based on porous silicon have high corrosion and mechanical resistance, and they also feature a large pore surface area. Hence, the search for the best composition of matrix carriers with a large active surface and modifier metals with their minimum load is becoming an urgent process problem in power and electronic engineering. The use of metal nanoparticles in a catalyst can increase the catalytic activity in electrochemical reactions occurring in fuel cells and their corrosion resistance. Investigations into electrochemical oxidation of hydrogen and formic acid in fuel cells seem to be the most important for practice due to a wide application range of these types of fuels. This work deals with the formation of nanocomposite electrodes with nanoparticles of platinum group metals for fuel cells to be used as self-contained micropower current sources in electronic engineering. A process is described for forming effective electrode materials based on nanotubes with nanoparticles of platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) for low-temperature self-contained power sources. Parameters of nanocomposite electrodes in matrix-carriers are investigated by the methods of atomic-force, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results from tests of formic acid–air and hydrogen–air fuel cell models are presented. The optimal loading of platinum group metals and dimensions of electrode nanocomposites giving maximum specific power and current density are found.

Development of Self-contained Power Supply Systems for Traffic Management Equipment

This article describes the possibility of using self-contained power sources based on piezo-electric technology which converts kinetic energy of the traffic flow into electric which is located in an inner cavity of a speed bump. The purpose is to provide self-contained power supply system for equipment mounted near pedestrian crossings of children's and youths’ educational institutions. The article shows theoretical results of calculations of electro mechanic parameters for piezo-ceramics when a vehicle runs over it. We have developed an experimental setup to study the influence of mechanical pulse stresses on piezo-ceramic plates. We presented a design of self-contained power supply source based on piezo-electric technology.

An ocean kinetic energy converter for low-power applications using piezoelectric disk elements

The main problem facing long-term electronic system deployments in the sea, is to find a feasible way to supply them with the power they require. Harvesting mechanical energy from the ocean wave oscillations and converting it into electrical energy, provides an alternative method for creating self-contained power sources. However, the very low and varying frequency of ocean waves, which generally varies from 0.1 Hz to 2 Hz, presents a hurdle which has to be overcome if this mechanical energy is to be harvested. In this paper, a new sea wave kinetic energy converter is described using low-cost disk piezoelectric elements, which has no dependence on their excitement frequency, to feed low-consumption maritime-deployed electronic devices. The operating principles of the piezoelectric device technique are presented, including analytical formulations describing the transfer of energy. Finally, a prototypical design, which generates electrical energy from the motion of a buoy, is introduced. The paper concludes with the the behavior study of the piezoelectric prototype device as a power generator.

Mobile Technologies in the Study, Assessment, and Treatment of Schizophrenia

Mobile Technologies in the Study, Assessment, and Treatment of Schizophrenia

The Use of Piezoelectric Ceramics for Electric Power Generation Within Orthopedic Implants

This paper presents the results of tests that demonstrate the feasibility of using piezoelectric (PZT) ceramics to generate in vivo electrical energy for orthopedic implants. Sensors encapsulated within implants could provide in vivo diagnostic capabilities such as the monitoring of implant duty (i.e., walking) cycle, detecting abnormally asymmetric or high forces, sensing misalignment and early loosening, and early detection of wear. Early diagnosis of abnormalities or impending failure is critical to minimize patient harm. However, the routine use of sensors and microprocessors embedded within orthopedic implants for diagnostic and monitoring purposes has been limited by the lack of a long-term self-contained power source capable of lasting the expected 20-year implant lifetimes. By embedding PZT materials within orthopedic implants, a small amount of the mechanical energy generated during normal physical activity can be converted into useful electrical energy. This in vivo energy source can power embedded microprocessors and sensors for a broad range of biomedical uses. The current work investigates the application of this technology to total knee replacement (TKR) implants, but it is applicable to many other implanted biomedical devices.

Sensing of Passing Vehicles Using a Lane Marker on a Road With Built-In Thin-Film MI Sensor and Power Source

In a field test, we demonstrated the sensing of passing vehicles, using onroad lane markers with a built-in magneto impedance (MI) sensor and a self-contained power source. The vehicle-sensing rate was 100% in the field test and we found that the lane marker could detect vehicles with a high degree of accuracy. A thin-film MI sensor, which is very sensitive to small external magnetic fields, an analog circuit for driving/processing, and a digital circuit with EEPROM memory for storing the number of passing vehicles were incorporated into a thin aluminum plate marker. The lane marker also had a self-contained power source, consisting of a secondary battery and a solar battery, which eliminated the need for an external power supply.

The combined neutron scattering and first-principles study of solid state protonic conductors

The need for more efficient batteries and fuel cells to be used for vehicle propulsion, photovoltaic energy storage, and self-contained power sources has led to increased effort in the development of improved materials with high proton conductivity. In this paper, we outline the utility of neutron scattering methods in conjunction with first-principles total-energy calculations for characterizing the structure and proton dynamics in such materials, namely, SrCe 1− x Sc x O 3− δ H y , Ba 2In 2O 5+ δ H 2 δ and RbHSO 4.

Space exploration — The new challenge to the electronics industry

The electronics industry today faces its greatest challenge, the development of a system to control remotely a space-research vehicle. It must prepare man's path into space. A two-way radio data link will be one specific goal. This link should transfer data between Earth and vehicle to provide guidance and observation data, and to permit control of vehicle trajectory and instrumentation through an Earth-to-vehicle control loop. The system should operate out to Mars, a distance of 50 million miles, under extremes of temperature and radiation far above present standards, and with self-contained power sources. A radar-beacon data link providing guidance through a simple inertial autopilot would appear to be a reasonable approach, based upon extensions to presently-developed techniques. Operating with Earth-based, 500-mc radars resembling present trans-horizon communications equipment, a vehicle beacon of 2-kw output power would permit vehicle orbiting of the Moon; 6 megw would be required to reach Mars. The respective Earth transmitters would require 200-kw and 600-megw power output. Present remote-control equipment will not meet all the above needs; significant advances must be made before man can venture with confidence into space.