Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting: Modelling and Application

Comprehensive reference and guide to the state-of-the-art in this rapidly developing and exciting field; the transformation of vibrations into electric energy through the use of piezoelectric devices Given the current energy crisis and green agenda, the transformation of vibrations into electric energy through the use of piezoelectric devices is an exciting and rapidly developing area of research likely to find a wide range of applications in the not too distant future. With Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting, world-leading researchers provide a timely and comprehensive coverage of the electromechanical modelling and applications of piezoelectric energy harvesters. Several configurations ranging from classical devices (such as unimorph, bimorph and multimorph cantilevers) to more sophisticated devices exhibiting chaotic vibrations are discussed. Scale-effects in piezoelectric power generation are also covered along with electromechanical models for NEM (nano-electromechanical) power generators. Although most of the literature focuses on harmonic excitation, non-harmonic excitations as well as flow excitation and moving load excitation problems for piezoelectric energy harvesting will also be addressed. • Provides a reliable reference for researchers interested in modelling and optimization of piezoelectric energy harvesters • Focuses on the electromechanical modelling and applications of piezoelectric energy harvesters • Provides several models that can be used in design and optimization • Covers scale-effects in piezoelectric power generation along with electromechanical models for NEM (nano-electromechanical) power generators • Includes theoretical and experimental case studies and demonstrative examples. Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting allows graduate researchers and professional engineers to understand the electromechanics of piezoelectric energy harvesters and provides several models that can be used in design and optimization. It also discusses novel applications as well as phenomenal devices from the literature of structural dynamics for piezoelectric power generation.