Media.Player

Device with Magnetoplastic and/or Magnetoelastic Thin-Film Transducer and Pick-up Coil for Harvesting Energy

Technology Benefits

The system has a simple design, and may be produced in any size or shape, which provides great potential for miniaturization, nanotechnology, and ease and economy of fabrication. Thin film technology is advantageous for small-scale applications. The system works completely by itself without the need to access the grid. The device operates with high frequency and low displacement, which increases efficiency.

Detailed Technology Description

This device may be used to capture energy from motion such as walking, machine movement, movement of water or wind, and/or object movement caused by water or wind. For example, the system may be employed as part of a floatation device, wherein the motion of water is transduced to electrical power that may then be used to power a signaling or locator device. The device could also be used to monitor corrosion in a concrete structure, such as a bridge, where it would be powered by the vibration of the passing vehicles.

Supplementary Information

Patent Number: US8008816B2
Application Number: US2007875732A
Inventor: Hampikian, Greg | Mullner, Peter
Priority Date: 19 Oct 2006
Priority Number: US8008816B2
Application Date: 19 Oct 2007
Publication Date: 30 Aug 2011
IPC Current: H01L004100 | H02N000200
US Class: 310026 | 073862333
Assignee Applicant: Boise State University,Boise
Title: Device with magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic thin-film transducer and pick-up coil for harvesting energy
Usefulness: Device with magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic thin-film transducer and pick-up coil for harvesting energy
Summary: Electrical power generation system for generating energy from motion such as random, cyclic and vibrational motion produced by wind, water, moving objects or human motion (all claimed) to drive personal electronic device.
Novelty: Electrical power generation system for generating energy from motion e.g. random produced by e.g. wind to drive personal electronic device has transducer that is strained by force from motion, deformation of twin boundaries

Industry

Electronics

Sub Category

3C/Gadgets

Application No.

US2007875732A

*Abstract

A device developed at Boise State University uses motion, including random, cyclic, and vibrational motion, to produce electrical power. This passive motion is transferred to linear motion through a mechanical connecting device, which deforms a magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic material. The magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelasic material, by means of the twin boundary deformation effect (the deformation of the surface that separates two intergrown crystals), transduces the mechanical linear motion into a change of magnetic field. The change of magnetization induces an electrical signal by a second thin-film transducer, which transforms magnetization change into current or voltage.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Greg Hampikian, Professor

Department: Biological Sciences

Name: Peter MΓòº├¤llner, Distinguished Professor/Dept Chair

Department: Materials Science & Engineering

Country/Region

USA