Piezoelectric leaf generator for wind energy harvest

Guitao Zhang, Vincent Chen, Weihe Xu, Richard Galos, Liang Zhou, Yong Shi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, a piezoelectric leaf generator for harvesting wind energy was proposed, fabricated and tested. The leaf generator had a bimorph cantilever structure, with Su-8 as the protective supporting layer, and aligned lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanofibers as the active layer. Interdigitated electrodes were sputtered on top of the aligned PZT nanofibers to collect the generated charge. After fabrication of the leaf generator, it was tested in a wind tunnel with different wind incident angles and wind speeds. The maximum voltage output of the leaf generator was 820 mV when the wind speed was 17 m/s. The developed leaf generator does not need further bonding to the vibration source, which make it much easier for real applications. In addition, benefited from unique material properties of the PZT nanofiber such as flexible, robust, and high piezoelectric coupling ability, the leaf generator is promising for a high efficiency wind energy harvest.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication19th Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle Conference; 8th International Conference on Micro- and Nanosystems
ISBN (Electronic)9780791846353
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
EventASME 2014 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2014 - Buffalo, United States
Duration: 17 Aug 201420 Aug 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume4

Conference

ConferenceASME 2014 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBuffalo
Period17/08/1420/08/14

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Piezoelectric leaf generator for wind energy harvest'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this