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Host University: Georgia Tech
Progress:
Quarterly Report: April 1-June 30, 2009
Tubes and “crimp” (flat) PZT fibers were evaluated to assess their energy harvesting efficiency and their potential for integration into fabrics. Electroded fibers were epoxied to a vibrating cantilever beam. The electrical output of each type was recorded, and the mechanical excitation was measured with a strain gauge. The electrical energy per unit volume of the tubes was larger by a factor of 5 than that of the crimp fibers, although they should be on the same order; this will be further investigated. The crimp fibers offer the most practical geometry for fabric integration. Assuming that these fibers will deliver the same energy per volume as their tube counterparts, and assuming that the electroding process will be refined to reach common industry standards, initial estimates indicate that a 1m2 banner subjected to a 5-knot wind and incorporating PZT fibers can generate about 15 mW of electrical power at 1 Hz.
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