Course detail

Energy Harvesting

FSI-RAEAcad. year: 2011/2012

The course “Energy Harvesting” deals with introduction of unique ways of the energy generating from surroundings. Currently remote electronics, low power devices and wireless sensors are powered by batteries. One possibility to overcome energy limitations of batteries or possibly fully substitute batteries is to harvest energy from the environment to power the electronics. The ambient energy is available in the form of radiation, thermal energy and mechanical energy of the environment. The course “Energy Harvesting” is focused on energy harvesting from mechanical energy of vibrations, shocks, deformation, human behaviour etc., and simulation modelling of energy harvesting systems.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Zdeněk Hadaš, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics (ÚMTMB)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

The “Energy harvesting” deals with overview of independent ways of generating energy from surroundings for autonomous supplying of wireless sensors, remote electronics and low power devices. Students will be able to: Analyze of ambient energy for energy harvesting from the concrete industrial system. Select the best way of supplying of modern autonomous electronics. Simulation modelling of electro-mechanical conversion.

Prerequisites

Kinematics and dynamics, Solving the 2nd order differential equations, Laws of electromechanical energy conversion, Laws of conservation of energy, Basic knowledge of measurement of electrical and non-electrical quantities, Simulation software Matlab-Simulink and ANSYS (basic knowledge).

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The students will solve reports from the exercises and labs and students create the final project, which are necessary for awarding the course-unit credit.

Course curriculum

Not applicable.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The objective of the course “Energy Harvesting” is to familiarize students with basic principles of energy harvesting systems as well as methods of electro-mechanical conversion, principle of photovoltaic cells and thermoelectric generators. The emphasis is on understanding the physical principles of energy harvesting methods mainly electro-mechanical conversion and simulation modelling of such mechatronic systems.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance in labs is required. Absence is compensated by special tasks according to instructions of the tutor.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Fiala, P., Kadlecová, E.: Modelování elektromagnetických polí, FEKT VUT v Brně, 2005. (CS)
Grepl, R.: Modelování mechatronických systémů v Matlab/SimMechanics, BEN, 2007. (CS)
Shashank Priya, Daniel J. Inman: Energy Harvesting Technologies, Springer US, 2009 (EN)

Recommended reading

Adams, Thomas M., Layton, Richard A.: Introductory MEMS Fabrication and Applications, 2010. (EN)
Mukherjee, S., et al.: AmIware Hardware Technology Drivers of Ambient Intelligence, Philips Research Book Series Vol. 5, Springer Netherlands, 2006. (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme N3901-2 Master's

    branch M-MET , 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory-optional

  • Programme N2301-2 Master's

    branch M-AIŘ , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective (voluntary)
    branch M-AIŘ , 2 year of study, winter semester, elective (voluntary)

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Zdeněk Hadaš, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction of energy sources for mechatronics
2. Energy harvesting technologies
3. Energy harvesting from vibration
4. Electro-mechanical conversion – analysis of ambient energy
5. Electro-mechanical conversion – physical principles
6. Electromagnetic principle
7. Design of electromagnetic generators
8. Piezoelectric principle
9. Piezoelectric materials and other SMART matrials
10. Other alternative sources of energy harvesting
11. Solar cells and thermo-generators
12. Electronics – power management
13. MEMS