TY  - JOUR
T1  - Finite Element Analysis of a Fluid Flow Based Micro Energy Harvester
AU - Islam, Shabiul AU - Bhuyan, M.S. AU - Majlis, B.Y. AU - Othman, M. AU - Ali, Sawal H. Md. 
JO  - Research Journal of Applied Sciences
VL  - 8
IS  - 10
SP  - 507
EP  - 515
PY  - 2013
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-932x
DO  - rjasci.2013.507.515
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjasci.2013.507.515
KW  - Multi-physics
KW  -micro fluig channel
KW  -D-shaped
KW  -voltage
KW  -ultra-low-power
AB  - This study presents multi-physics three-dimensional finite 
  element simulation of a fluid flow based self-excited micro energy harvester. 
  This micro energy harvester is modeled inside a micro fluid channel to convert 
  fluid flow energy into fluid oscillations. Investigations are carried out for 
  the impact of low fluid flow velocity ranging 1-5 m sec<SUP>-1</SUP>, associated 
  voltage generation by piezoelectric means and various mechanical analyses to 
  enhance the performance and robust design considerations. The piezoelectric 
  micro cantilever is attached to a D-shaped bluff body. An axial fluid flow and 
  the D-shaped bluff body interaction generate Karman Vortex Street in the wake 
  of the bluff-body. Vortex shedding causes an asymmetry in pressure distribution 
  on the surface of the bluff body which results in time-dependent forces acting 
  on the attached flexible micro cantilever. Due to structural vibrations induced 
  by the uniform and steady fluid flow, periodic strains are generated in the 
  piezoelectric cantilever which converts the strain energy into electrical charge. 
  Finite Element Analysis Software namely COMSOL Multiphysics are used for the 
  Harvester Model and simulation. In a 200x150x150 &#956;m<SUP>3</SUP> rectangular 
  duct, at 5 m sec<SUP>-1</SUP> fluid velocity, the 50x40x2 &#956;m<SUP>3</SUP> 
  piezoelectric cantilever experienced 3088 Pa stress with cantilever tip displacement 
  around 60 &#956;m. A maximum voltage of 2.9 mV was recorded at 5 m sec<SUP>-1</SUP> 
  fluid velocity that is sufficient to drive an ultra-low-power rectifier circuit 
  for a complete energy harvesting system. This study in detail describes the 
  harvester device modeling and finite element analysis in COMSOL. Instead of 
  using ambient parasitic vibration, this Energy Harvester Model directly utilize 
  fluid flow energy to improve harvesting capability. The micro energy harvester 
  self-charging capability makes it possible to develop untethered sensor nodes 
  that do not require any wired connection or battery replacement or supplement 
  batteries. Integration of fluid flow based micro energy harvester device for 
  the autonomous sensor network such as automotive temperature and humidity sensor 
  networks.
ER  -