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Micro-scale energy harvesting devices: Review of methodological performances in the last decade

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  • Selvan, Krishna Veni
  • Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Sultan

Abstract

Power harvesting devices which harness ambient surrounding energies to produce electricity could be a good solution for charging or powering electronic devices. The main advantages of such devices are that they are ecologically safe, portable, wireless, and cost effective and have smaller dimensions. Most of these power harvesting devices are realized by utilizing the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques. In this paper, the capabilities and efficiencies of four micro-power harvesting methods including thermoelectric, thermo-photovoltaic, piezoelectric, and microbial fuel cell renewable power generators are thoroughly reviewed and reported. These methods are discussed in terms of their benefits and applications as well as their challenges and constraints. In addition, a methodological performance analysis for the decade from 2005 to 2014 are surveyed in order to discover the methods that delivered high output power for each device. Moreover, the outstanding breakthrough performances of each of the aforementioned micro-power generators within this period are highlighted. From the studies conducted, a maximum energy conversion of 2500mWcm−2 is reached by thermoelectric modules. Meanwhile, thermo-photovoltaic devices achieved a rise in system efficiency of up to 10.9%. Piezoelectricity is potentially able to reach a volumetric power density of up to 10,000mWcm−3. Significantly in microbial fuel cell systems, the highest power density obtained reached up to 6.86Wm−2. Consequently, the miniaturized energy harvesters are proven to have credibility for the performance of autonomous power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Selvan, Krishna Veni & Mohamed Ali, Mohamed Sultan, 2016. "Micro-scale energy harvesting devices: Review of methodological performances in the last decade," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1035-1047.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:1035-1047
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.046
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    6. Xiu Fang Lu & Cheng-Ping Zhang & Naizhou Wang & Dan Zhao & Xin Zhou & Weibo Gao & Xian Hui Chen & K. T. Law & Kian Ping Loh, 2024. "Nonlinear transport and radio frequency rectification in BiTeBr at room temperature," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    7. Lallart, Mickaël & Zhou, Shengxi & Yang, Zhichun & Yan, Linjuan & Li, Kui & Chen, Yu, 2020. "Coupling mechanical and electrical nonlinearities: The effect of synchronized discharging on tristable energy harvesters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    8. Lallart, Mickaël & Yan, Linjuan & Miki, Hiroyuki & Sebald, Gaël & Diguet, Gildas & Ohtsuka, Makoto & Kohl, Manfred, 2021. "Heusler alloy-based heat engine using pyroelectric conversion for small-scale thermal energy harvesting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    9. He, Li & Du, Peng & Chen, Yizhong & Lu, Hongwei & Cheng, Xi & Chang, Bei & Wang, Zheng, 2017. "Advances in microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 388-403.
    10. Zhou, Jiaxi & Zhao, Xuhui & Wang, Kai & Chang, Yaopeng & Xu, Daolin & Wen, Guilin, 2021. "Bio-inspired bistable piezoelectric vibration energy harvester: Design and experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    11. Hu, Yili & Yi, Zhiran & Dong, Xiaoxue & Mou, Fangxiao & Tian, Yingwei & Yang, Qinghai & Yang, Bin & Liu, Jingquan, 2019. "High power density energy harvester with non-uniform cantilever structure due to high average strain distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 294-304.
    12. E, Jiaqiang & Luo, Bo & Han, Dandan & Chen, Jingwei & Liao, Gaoliang & Zhang, Feng & Ding, Jiangjun, 2022. "A comprehensive review on performance improvement of micro energy mechanical system: Heat transfer, micro combustion and energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    13. Yin, Tao & Li, Zhen-Ming & Peng, Peng & Liu, Wei & Shao, Yu-Ying & He, Zhi-Zhu, 2021. "Performance analysis and design optimization of a compact thermoelectric generator with T-Shaped configuration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    14. Liu, Huicong & Fu, Hailing & Sun, Lining & Lee, Chengkuo & Yeatman, Eric M., 2021. "Hybrid energy harvesting technology: From materials, structural design, system integration to applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    15. Shi, Shuanhu & Li, Peng & Jin, Feng, 2019. "Thermal-mechanical-electrical analysis of a nano-scaled energy harvester," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 862-874.

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