I-Corps: Shape Memory Alloy Thermal Energy Harvesting

I-Corps：形状记忆合金热能收集

• 批准号: 1265145
• 负责人: Erik Engeberg
• 金额: $ 5万
• 依托单位: University of Akron
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-10-15 至 2014-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1265145&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Corps; Shape; Memory; Alloy; Thermal

The shape memory alloy (SMA) thermal energy harvesting technology developed through this project is a clean, robust, and economic mechanism that bridges the thermal, material, mechanical, and electrical domains to convert virtually any source of heat into electricity. With a recently developed prototype, temperature fluctuations that are occur daily almost everywhere on earth drive contractions and elongations of SMA elements. These in turn force rotation of a shaft that is connected to a generator, producing electricity that can be stored or used immediately. As such, the SMA device has numerous advantages over alternative methods of electricity generation. The SMA energy harvesting device is not dependent upon direct sunlight as are solar panels nor does it require directional wind or water flow like wind turbines and hydroelectric dams. Hence, the SMA device can be efficaciously installed virtually anywhere on earth because it relies solely upon temperature oscillations. Finally, the SMA energy harvesting device has the ability to be deployed in many configurations and orientations on, above or below ground or even underwater. Thus, negative ecological impacts can be minimized in comparison to hydroelectric dams, coal, wind turbines, and nuclear facilities that are used to generate electricity. The SMA device should not directly contribute to global warming or pollution which is a substantial advantage over coal, natural gas, and nuclear sources of electricity generation. The number of potential users for a mid-sized version of this product is immense, ranging from people in underdeveloped nations to people in urban locations. This device could also be used by small and large-scale companies to help reduce annual energy expenditures. Additionally, individuals and companies that use this device can generate their own electricity during power outages that occur during storms.

通过该项目开发的形状记忆合金(SMA)热能收集技术是一种清洁、坚固和经济的机制，它连接了热、材料、机械和电气领域，几乎可以将任何热源转化为电能。在最近开发的原型中，地球上几乎所有地方每天都会发生的温度波动会导致SMA元件的收缩和伸长。它们反过来迫使连接到发电机的轴旋转，产生可以立即储存或使用的电力。因此，与其他发电方法相比，SMA设备具有许多优势。SMA能量收集装置不像太阳能电池板那样依赖阳光直射，也不像风力涡轮机和水电大坝那样需要定向风力或水流。因此，SMA设备几乎可以有效地安装在地球上的任何地方，因为它完全依赖于温度振荡。最后，SMA能量收集装置能够以多种配置和方向部署在地面、地面或地下，甚至水下。因此，与水电大坝、煤炭、风力涡轮机和用于发电的核设施相比，负面的生态影响可以降到最低。SMA装置不应直接导致全球变暖或污染，这是相对于煤炭、天然气和核能发电的重大优势。该产品中型版的潜在用户数量巨大，从欠发达国家的人到城市地区的人。这种设备也可以被小型和大型公司使用，以帮助减少年度能源支出。此外，使用这种设备的个人和公司可以在暴风雨期间停电时产生自己的电力。