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Wu C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Zeng Y. A 7.5-mV Input and 88%-Efficiency Single-Inductor Boost Converter with Self-Startup and MPPT for Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting. MICROMACHINES 2022; 14:mi14010060. [PMID: 36677120 PMCID: PMC9865484 DOI: 10.3390/mi14010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a single-inductor boost converter for thermoelectric energy harvesting. A two-stages startup circuit with a three-phase operation is adopted to obtain self-startup with a single inductor. To extract the maximum energy, a coarse- and fine-tuning MPPT is proposed to adaptively and effectively track the internal source resistance. By designing a zero-current detector, the synchronization loss is reduced, which significantly improves the peak efficiency. The boost converter is implemented in a 0.18-μm standard CMOS process. Simulation results show that the converter self-starts the operation from a TEG voltage of 128 mV and achieves 88% peak efficiency, providing a maximum output power of 3.78 mW. The improved MPPT enables the converter to sustain the operation at an input voltage as low as 7.5 mV after self-startup.
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Tang G, Wang Z, Hu X, Wu S, Xu B, Li Z, Yan X, Xu F, Yuan D, Li P, Shi Q, Lee C. A Non-Resonant Piezoelectric-Electromagnetic-Triboelectric Hybrid Energy Harvester for Low-Frequency Human Motions. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:1168. [PMID: 35407286 PMCID: PMC9000779 DOI: 10.3390/nano12071168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid development of wireless communication and micro-power technologies, smart wearable devices with various functionalities appear more and more in our daily lives. Nevertheless, they normally possess short battery life and need to be recharged with external power sources with a long charging time, which seriously affects the user experience. To help extend the battery life or even replace it, a non-resonant piezoelectric-electromagnetic-triboelectric hybrid energy harvester is presented to effectively harvest energy from low-frequency human motions. In the designed structure, a moving magnet is used to simultaneously excite the three integrated energy collection units (i.e., piezoelectric, electromagnetic, and triboelectric) with a synergistic effect, such that the overall output power and energy-harvesting efficiency of the hybrid device can be greatly improved under various excitations. The experimental results show that with a vibration frequency of 4 Hz and a displacement of 200 mm, the hybrid energy harvester obtains a maximum output power of 26.17 mW at 70 kΩ for one piezoelectric generator (PEG) unit, 87.1 mW at 500 Ω for one electromagnetic generator (EMG) unit, and 63 μW at 140 MΩ for one triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) unit, respectively. Then, the generated outputs are adopted for capacitor charging, which reveals that the performance of the three-unit integration is remarkably stronger than that of individual units. Finally, the practical energy-harvesting experiments conducted on various body parts such as wrist, calf, hand, and waist indicate that the proposed hybrid energy harvester has promising application potential in constructing a self-powered wearable system as the sustainable power source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Tang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Zhen Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Xin Hu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Shaojie Wu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Bin Xu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Zhibiao Li
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Xiaoxiao Yan
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Fang Xu
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Dandan Yuan
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Peisheng Li
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Precision Drive & Control, Nanchang Institute of Technology, Nanchang 330099, China; (G.T.); (Z.W.); (X.H.); (S.W.); (B.X.); (Z.L.); (X.Y.); (F.X.); (D.Y.); (P.L.)
| | - Qiongfeng Shi
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Singapore
- School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Chengkuo Lee
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117583, Singapore
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Zulkepli N, Yunas J, Mohamed MA, Hamzah AA. Review of Thermoelectric Generators at Low Operating Temperatures: Working Principles and Materials. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:734. [PMID: 34206662 PMCID: PMC8303398 DOI: 10.3390/mi12070734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are a form of energy harvester and eco-friendly power generation system that directly transform thermal energy into electrical energy. The thermoelectric (TE) method of energy harvesting takes advantage of the Seebeck effect, which offers a simple solution for fulfilling the power-supply demand in almost every electronics system. A high-temperature condition is commonly essential in the working mechanism of the TE device, which unfortunately limits the potential implementation of the device. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of TEGs at low operating temperature. The review starts with an extensive description of their fundamental working principles, structure, physical properties, and the figure of merit (ZT). An overview of the associated key challenges in optimising ZT value according to the physical properties is discussed, including the state of the art of the advanced approaches in ZT optimisation. Finally, this manuscript summarises the research status of Bi2Te3-based semiconductors and other compound materials as potential materials for TE generators working at low operating temperatures. The improved TE materials suggest that TE power-generation technology is essential for sustainable power generation at near-room temperature to satisfy the requirement for reliable energy supplies in low-power electrical/electronics systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurkhaizan Zulkepli
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, Malaysia; (N.Z.); (M.A.M.)
- Centre of Foundation Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Selangor, Kampus Dengkil, Dengkil 43800, Malaysia
| | - Jumril Yunas
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, Malaysia; (N.Z.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Mohd Ambri Mohamed
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, Malaysia; (N.Z.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Azrul Azlan Hamzah
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronic (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 46300, Malaysia; (N.Z.); (M.A.M.)
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He T, Guo X, Lee C. Flourishing energy harvesters for future body sensor network: from single to multiple energy sources. iScience 2021; 24:101934. [PMID: 33392482 PMCID: PMC7773596 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Body sensor network (bodyNET) offers possibilities for future disease diagnosis, preventive health care, rehabilitation, and treatment. However, the eventual realization demands reliable and sustainable power sources. The flourishing energy harvesters (EHs) have provided prominent techniques for practically addressing the concurrent energy issue. Targeting for a specific energy source, wearable EHs with a sole conversion mechanism are well investigated. Hybrid EHs integrating different effects for a single source or multi-sources are attaining growing attention, for they provide another degree of freedom concerning a higher-level energy utility. Merging EHs with other functional electronics, diversified functional self-sustainable systems are developed, paving the way for the accomplishment of bodyNET. This review introduces the evolution of wearable EHs from a single effect to hybridized mechanisms for multiple energy sources and wearable to implantable self-sustainable systems. Last, we provide our perspectives on the future development of hybrid EHs to be more competitive with conventional batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyiyi He
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS (CISM), National University of Singapore, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore
- National University of Singapore Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Xinge Guo
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS (CISM), National University of Singapore, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore
| | - Chengkuo Lee
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS (CISM), National University of Singapore, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore
- National University of Singapore Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore
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Self-Powered Autonomous Wireless Sensor Node by Using Silicon-Based 3D Thermoelectric Energy Generator for Environmental Monitoring Application. ENERGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/en13030674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we present the results of a preliminary study on the self-powered autonomous wireless sensor node by using thermoelectric energy generator based on Silicon (Si) thermoelectric legs, energy management integrated circuit (EMIC), Radio Frequency (RF) module with a temperature and humidity sensor, etc. A novel thermoelectric module structure is designed as an energy generator module, which consists of 127 pairs of Silicon legs and this module is fabricated and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of generating electrical power under the temperature gradient of 70K. EMIC has three key features besides high efficiency, which are maximum power point tracking (MPPT), cold start, and complete self-power operation. EMIC achieved a cold start voltage of 200 mV, peak efficiency of 78.7%, MPPT efficiency 99.4%, and an output power of 34 mW through only the Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) source. To assess the capability of the device as a small scale power source for internet of things (IoT) service, we also tested energy conversion and storage experiments. Finally, the proposed sensor node system which can transmit and monitor the information from the temperature and humidity sensor through the RF module in real time demonstrates the feasibility for variable applications.
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Fabrication and Characterization of Flexible Thermoelectric Generators Using Micromachining and Electroplating Techniques. MICROMACHINES 2019; 10:mi10100660. [PMID: 31574949 PMCID: PMC6843447 DOI: 10.3390/mi10100660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study involves the fabrication and measurement of a flexible thermoelectric generator (FTG) using micromachining and electroplating processes. The area of the FTG is 46 × 17 mm2, and it is composed of 39 thermocouples in series. The thermoelectric materials that are used for the FTG are copper and nickel. The fabrication process involves patterning a silver seed layer on the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate using a computer numerical control (CNC) micro-milling machine. Thermoelectric materials, copper and nickel, are deposited on the PMMA substrate using an electroplating process. An epoxy polymer is then coated onto the PMMA substrate. Acetone solution is then used to etch the PMMA substrate and to transfer the thermocouples to the flexible epoxy film. The FTG generates an output voltage (OV) as the thermocouples have a temperature difference (ΔT) between the cold and hot parts. The experiments show that the OV of the FTG is 4.2 mV at ΔT of 5.3 K and the output power is 429 nW at ΔT of 5.3 K. The FTG has a voltage factor of 1 μV/mm2K and a power factor of 19.5 pW/mm2K2. The FTG reaches a curvature of 20 m-1.
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Chen T, Shi Q, Li K, Yang Z, Liu H, Sun L, Dziuban JA, Lee C. Investigation of Position Sensing and Energy Harvesting of a Flexible Triboelectric Touch Pad. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2018; 8:E613. [PMID: 30104532 PMCID: PMC6116217 DOI: 10.3390/nano8080613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a promising technology because it can harvest energy from the environment to enable self-sustainable mobile and wearable electronic devices. In this work, we present a flexible touch pad capable of detecting the contact location of an object and generating substantial energy simultaneously based on the coupling of triboelectric effects and electrostatic induction. The touch pad consists of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thin film, multiple Aluminum (Al) electrodes and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layers, which can be achieved through low cost, simplified and scalable fabrication process. Different from the conventional multi-pixel-based positioning sensor (i.e., large array of sensing elements and electrodes), the analogue method proposed here is used to implement the positioning function with only four electrodes. Position location can achieve a detecting resolution of as small as 1.3 mm (the size of locating layer is 7.5 cm × 7.5 cm). For the energy harvesting part, a multilayer structure is designed to provide higher current output. The open circuit voltage of the device is around 420 V and the short circuit current can reach up to 6.26 µA with current density of 0.25 µA/cm². The maximum output power obtained is approximately 10 mW, which is 0.4 mW/cm². The flexibility and significantly reduced number of electrodes enable the proposed touch pad to be readily integrated into portable electronic devices, such as intelligent robots, laptops, healthcare devices, and environmental surveys, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-11F, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- Hybrid-Integrated Flexible (Stretchable) Electronic Systems Program, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-4, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
| | - Qiongfeng Shi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-11F, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- Hybrid-Integrated Flexible (Stretchable) Electronic Systems Program, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-4, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- NUS Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Kunpu Li
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-11F, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- Hybrid-Integrated Flexible (Stretchable) Electronic Systems Program, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-4, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- NUS Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Zhan Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Huicong Liu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Lining Sun
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Robotics, School of Mechanical and Electric Engineering & Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and Technology, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Jan A Dziuban
- Faculty of Microsystem Electronics and Photonics, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 11/17 Janiszewskiego Str., Wroclaw 50-372, Poland.
| | - Chengkuo Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 3, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
- Center for Intelligent Sensors and MEMS, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-11F, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- Hybrid-Integrated Flexible (Stretchable) Electronic Systems Program, National University of Singapore, E6 #05-4, 5 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117608, Singapore.
- NUS Suzhou Research Institute (NUSRI), Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou 215123, China.
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