Phase II IUCRC Virginia Tech: Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems (CEHMS)

将可从许多来源免费获得的环境能源（主要是作为废弃能源）转化为电力，由于其增长潜力和应用范围，吸引了不同行业的兴趣。本地发电的能力可以消除通过电线输送电力以及充电或更换电池的需要。通过行业指导的研究和中心站点之间的合作努力，能源收集材料和系统中心（CEHMS）的行业成员和其他人将能够在结构（建筑物，飞机，桥梁，核电站等）中嵌入自供电传感器。中继有关其结构完整性的信息，为自然灾害监测的传感器供电，为便携式和可穿戴电子设备补充电力，并支持物联网和自主系统的运行。多学科研究团队将对行业驱动的项目进行研究，目标是将实验室原型转化为商业产品;建立在科学和技术的跨学科优势基础上，并与行业建立强有力的合作关系。我们将采用整体方法来设计和开发多功能建筑围护结构和基础设施表面，通过这种方法，各种材料和结构行为，能源收集和效率性能以及人类行为之间的相互作用和潜在协同作用得到正确理解，建模和利用，同时消除或最大限度地减少任何潜在的有害后果或相互作用。此外，我们还将开发有效的传感和监测系统以及加速测试方法，以最大限度地提高能源收集效率和生命周期成本效益。作为通过土木工程基础设施进行能源收集变革的第一步，通过以下五个研究重点：1）用于能源收集和效率的多功能先进材料和结构; 2）用于太阳能，地热和机械能量收集和存储的能量转换设备，如电池和燃料电池; 3）具有基础设施保护的道路能源收集系统; 4）具有能量收集和无线传感的节能建筑;以及5）能量收集材料和系统的生命周期分析和测试。

Transforming ambient energy, available freely from many sources (mostly as wasted energy), to electric power has attracted the interest of different industries because of growth potential and breadth of applications. The ability to generate power locally could eliminate the need to deliver power through a wire, and recharge or replace batteries. Through industry-directed research and collaborative efforts between the center sites, industry members of the Center for Energy Harvesting Materials and Systems (CEHMS) and others will be able to embed self-powered sensors within structures (buildings, aircraft, bridges, nuclear plants, etc.) to relay information about their structural integrity, power sensors for natural hazards monitoring, replenish power of portable and wearable electronic devices, and support the Internet of Things and operation of autonomous systems. The multidisciplinary research team will perform research on industry-driven projects with the objective of translating laboratory prototypes into commercial products; build on interdisciplinary strengths in science and technology, and; develop strong collaborations with industry. We will use a holistic approach to design and develop multifunctional building envelopes and infrastructure surfaces, through which the interactions and potential synergies between the various material and structural behaviors, energy harvesting and efficiency performance, and human behaviors are properly understood, modeled, and exploited, while eliminating or minimizing any potentially detrimental consequences or interactions. In addition, we will also develop effective sensing and monitoring systems and accelerated testing methods for maximized energy harvesting efficiency and life cycle cost performance. As the first step to make a transformative change for energy harvesting through civil engineering infrastructure through the following five research thrusts: 1) Multifunctional advanced materials and structures for energy harvesting and efficiency; 2) Energy converting devices for solar, geothermal, and mechanics energy harvesting and storage, such as battery and fuel cells; 3) Roadway energy harvesting systems with infrastructure protection; 4) Energy efficient buildings with energy harvesting and wireless sensing; and 5) Life cycle analysis and testing of energy harvesting materials and systems.