Optimal Electrode Design for Ferroelectric Energy Harvesters

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Ranjith D. Janardhana, UNM Nathan Jackson, UNM

The piezoelectric energy harvester is gaining popularity due to its ability to transform ambient mechanical energy into useful power source under vibration. These types of devices use a cantilevered beam on which a parallel plate capacitor is deposited that consists of a piezoelectric electrode. Typically, a piezoelectric harvester operates in the d31 mode of piezoelectric property. However, the polarity of the ferroelectric material can be altered which enables to design piezoelectric harvester based on the d33 mode that has a higher piezoelectric constant (twice) compared to the d31 mode. Hence ferroelectric energy harvester utilizing interdigitated electrodes (IDT) has the potential to improve the power output of the energy harvester by working under d33 mode. In this regard, we have examined the performance of the parallel and IDT devices using finite element modeling (FEM). The analysis was conducted by subjecting both types of FEM models under resonant frequency and mechanical acceleration. The results of simulation are found to be in good agreement with experimental outcomes. These findings suggest that the IDT electrode design enhanced the power out of the ferroelectric energy harvester.