I-Corps: Shape Memory Alloy Thermal Energy Harvesting

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、稳健和经济的机制，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。利用最近开发的原型，地球上几乎每天都发生的温度波动驱动SMA元件的收缩和伸长。这反过来又迫使连接到发电机的轴旋转，产生可以立即存储或使用的电力。因此，SMA装置相对于替代发电方法具有许多优点。SMA能量收集装置不像太阳能电池板那样依赖于直射阳光，也不像风力涡轮机和水电大坝那样需要定向的风或水流。因此，SMA设备可以有效地安装在地球上几乎任何地方，因为它只依赖于温度振荡。最后，SMA能量收集装置具有以许多配置和取向部署在地面上、地面上或地面下或甚至水下的能力。因此，与用于发电的水电大坝、煤炭、风力涡轮机和核设施相比，负面生态影响可以最小化。SMA装置不应直接导致全球变暖或污染，这是相对于煤、天然气和核能发电的实质性优势。该产品的中型版本的潜在用户数量是巨大的，从不发达国家的人到城市地区的人。该设备也可用于小型和大型公司，以帮助减少年度能源支出。此外，使用该设备的个人和公司可以在风暴期间发生停电时自行发电。

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.