Energy Harvesting: Materials, Physics, and System Design with Practical Examples

This text investigates the materials science and physics of energy harvesting, with a focus on system configuration and efficient performance. It presents the mathematical theory of materials, electrical conductivity, and device design for vibration-based harvesters, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, wind-energy turbines, and hybrids thereof. Examples include piezoelectrics in wind turbines, as well as approaches using shape-memory alloys, thermomagnetics, and electrostatic generation. Information is provided on testing, characterization, and modeling of EH systems, with extensive equations analyzing materials and energy flow. Circuitry, batteries, and capacitors are also covered. An appendix includes ANSYS codes for finite element analysis of magnetic flux devices. Educators will find this book highly relevant for courses in energy harvesting, sustainable and renewable energy, thermal energy, wind energy, solar energy, magnetic energy, and vibrations. Materials scientists, energy harvesting developers, and renewable energy specialists will find the book to be a key resource.