Abstract
Energy harvesting devices based on the piezoelectric effect that converts ambient energy to electric energy is a very attractive energy source for remote sensors and embedded devices. Although topology optimization has been applied to the design of piezoelectric transducers, the locations of piezoelectric materials are predefined and only the optimal layout of elastic materials is considered. In this paper, both elastic materials as well as piezoelectric materials are considered for the design of energy harvesting devices under the topology optimization formulation. The objective function for this study is to maximize the energy conversion factor. The sensitivities of both stored strain energy and electrical energy are derived by the adjoint method. Examples of energy harvesting devices are presented and discussed using the proposed method.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bendsøe MP, Sigmund O (2004) Topology optimization: theory, methods and applications. Springer, Berlin
Carbonari RC, Silva ECN, Nishiwaki S (2005) Design of multi-actuated piezoelectric mechanisms using topology optimization. In: Proceedings of the 6th world congress on structural and multidisciplinary optimization, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Chickermane H, Gea HC (1996) Structural optimization using a new local approximation method. Int J Numer Methods Eng 39:829–846
Glynne-Jones P, Beeby SP, White NM (2001) Towards a piezoelectric vibration-powered microgenerator. IEE Proc Sci Meas Technol 148:68–72
Paradiso JA, Feldmeier M (2001) A compact, wireless, self-powered pushbutton controller. In: Abowd G, Brumitt B, Shafer S (eds) Ubicomp 2001: ubiquitous computing, vol 2201/2001. Springer, Berlin, pp 299–304
Roundy S, Wright PK, Rabaey J (2003) A study of low level vibrations as a power source for wireless sensor nodes. Comput Commun 26:1131–1144
Silva ECN, Kikuchi N (1999) Design of piezocomposite materials and piezoelectric transducers using topology optimization—part III. Arch Comput Methods Eng 6:305–329
Silva ECN, Nishiwaki S, Kikuchi N (1999a) Design of piezocomposite materials and piezoelectric transducers using topology optimization—part II. Arch Comput Methods Eng 6:191–222
Silva ECN, Ono Fonseca JS, Espinosa MD, Crumm AT, Brady GA, Halloran JW, Kikuchi N (1999b) Design of piezocomposite materials and piezoelectric transducers using topology optimization—part I. Arch Comput Methods Eng 6:117–182
Sodano HA, Inman DJ, Park G (2004) A review of power harvesting from vibration using piezoelectric materials. Shock Vibr Dig 36:197–205
Tiersten HF (1969) Linear piezoelectric plate vibrations: elements of the linear theory of piezoelectricity and the vibrations of piezoelectric plates. Plenum, New York
Wang SY, Tai K, Quek ST (2006) Topology optimization of piezoelectric sensors/actuators for torsional vibration control of composite plates. Smart Mater Struc 15:253–269
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zheng, B., Chang, CJ. & Gea, H.C. Topology optimization of energy harvesting devices using piezoelectric materials. Struct Multidisc Optim 38, 17–23 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-008-0265-0
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-008-0265-0