EAGER: Multi-source Power Scavenging Schemes

只有通过从环境中收集能量，才有可能创造出自供电的健康监测系统。环境中的能量可以通过多种方式转换为存储的电能，例如太阳能收集和机械能量收集。太阳能发电是最成熟的技术，可以产生低电压，10兆瓦/平方厘米的中等电流。在这种应用中，太阳能的缺点是它依赖于阳光直射。PI建议利用机器的振动和风引起的结构振动来产生可以作为电力来源的机械动力。压电材料是一种结构紧凑、能量密集的驱动器，具有独特的能量收集性能。它们能够在适度的应变水平下产生高电压。研究人员已经证明，非线性开关可以提高压电能量收集的性能，这表明在设计此类系统时需要考虑电力电子学。这种方法可以将从压电中获得的理论功率提高400%。此外，还将研究可以使用自生电源和传感开关的电路，并与压电器件的应变同步。这是一个带有goal组件的EAGER项目。

The creation of self-powered, health monitoring systems is possible only through the harvesting of energy from the environment. Energy in the environment can be converted to stored electrical energy by a variety of means, such as solar energy collection and mechanical power harvesting. Solar power is the most established technique, and can generate low voltage, moderate current at 10 mW/cm2. The drawbacks of solar for this application are its dependence on direct sunlight. The PI proposes to utilize vibrations from machines and wind induced structural oscillations to generate mechanical power that can be tapped as an electrical power source. Piezoelectric materials are compact, energy dense actuators and have unique properties for energy harvesting. They are capable of generating high voltages for modest levels of strain. Researchers have shown that nonlinear switching can enhance the performance of piezoelectric power harvesting, and it suggests that power electronics need to be considered when designing such systems. This approach can increase the theoretical power harvested from a piezoelectric by 400%. Additionally, circuits that can switch using self-generated power and sensing, in synchronization with the strain of piezoelectric devices will be also investigated.This is an EAGER project with a GOALI component.