A Piezo Smart‐Braid Harvester and Damper for Multifunctional Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites. Issue 12 (26th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Razavi, Seyedalireza; Iannucci, Lorenzo; Smith Greenhalgh, Emile
• Other Names: Colsmann Alexander guestEditor.; Röhm Holger guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Energy technology. Volume 8:Issue 12(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-10-26
• Subjects: multifunctional composite structures -- piezoelectric energy harvesting -- smart materials; Energy development -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1002/ente.202000777
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-4288

Abstract

Abstract : The past decade has seen the rapid development of wearable electronics, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and self‐powered implantable sensors. However, these devices usually require a continuous source of power supply to operate safely and accurately while having the least reliance on conventional battery systems—due to the recharging/maintenance burdens of batteries. Vibration‐based piezoelectric energy harvesting (PEH) from environment, man‐made machinery, and human body movements seems to be a promising solution. Herein, the first integration of a piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) yarn‐braid microgenerator into a fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) structure is reported. It is demonstrated that the developed smart composite exhibits multifunctional performances, including simultaneous structural (with ≈10% increased Young's modulus), energy harvesting, and vibration damping (with a damping factor of 125%). The results show that an average output voltage of 3.6 V and a power density of 2.2 mW cm −3 can be achieved at strains below 0.15%, under cyclic loading tests between 1 and 10 Hz. Moreover, noticeable improvements are made in the crystallinity percentage and β ‐phase content of as‐received PVDF yarns by, respectively, ≈34% and ≈37%, as a result of the applied coreless radial and axial corona poling techniques. Abstract : A novel flexible piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) braid is developed to supplement/replace conventional sources of energy (e.g., batteries) for powering onboard electronic devices in electric cars and aircraft. The developed harvester is embedded in a fiber‐reinforced polymer composite structure, which enables simultaneous energy harvesting, mechanical damping, and improved structural load‐bearing capabilities to be achieved.