10/8/2020

Kinetic Energy Recovery

System by using
Piezoelectric Material.

Instructed by: Mr. Yasith N. Kotelawala

Supervised by: Mr. Dilum Fernando

Student Name: Ashan Indusara Karunakalge

Student Number: CL/HNDAME/08/40
 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Project Name: Kinetic Energy Recovery System by using Piezoelectric Material.

Group members and details
CL/HNDAME/08/40 – Ashan Indusara Karunakalage (Group leader)
CL/HNDAME/08/44 – Nawod Vithana
CL/HNDAME/08/45 – Ashan Viduranga
CL/HNDAME/08/34 – Arunaja Induwara
CL/HNDAME/08/43 – Sheshan Mallawaarachchi

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my gratitude to our supervisor Mr. Dilum Fernando and our instructor
Mr. Yasith N. Kotelawala whose contribution in simulating suggestions and encourages us to
do this project successfully.
This project helps us to learn how to apply what I had learnt in the class in a practical
situation also in learning lot of new things.
Then I would like to thanks my parents who helped me with financing to do my studies and
also my team mates who helped me with this project.

Abstract
Hybrid and electric vehicles have a good demand in today’s society. Where the world is
running out of conventional energy sources and with the increment of the environmental
pollution, electrical energy utilization has become the trend. People produce electricity using
sustainable energy sources. Not only the production of electricity is important, but also
increasing the energy harvesting efficiency as well as recovering the wasted energy is the best
way to survive this energy crisis.

Table of figures
 Figure 1: KERS in bicycle
 Figure 2: VI graph of PZT
 Figure 3: VI graph of parallel and series combination
 Figure 4: Electrical diagram of a piezoelectric tile
 Figure 5: Buck Booster converter
 Figure 6: Buck converter diagram

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Table of Content
 Chapter 01: Introduction
1.1 Background of the project
1.2 Problem identification
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.4 Scope and Limitations

 Chapter 02: Literature review

2.1 Literature mapping
2.2 Literature review
2.2.1 Natural ways of harvesting electricity
2.2.1.1 Thermoelectric harvesting
2.2.1.2 Pyroelectric harvesting
2.2.1.3 Large scale energy harvesting
2.2.2 Loss of energy through automobiles
2.2.2.1 Systems where energy is wasted
2.2.3 Kinetic energy recovery systems
2.2.3.1Mechanical Energy Recovery System
2.2.3.2 Advantage
2.2.3.3 Disadvantage
2.2.4 Piezoelectric materials
2.2.4.1 Piezoelectric mechanism
2.2.4.2 History and inventions of piezoelectric materials
2.2.4.3 Harvesting electricity through piezoelectric materials
2.2.5 Electric Systems and Circuit diagrams
2.2.5.1 Villard Cascade
2.2.5.2 Buck Booster Converter
2.2.5.3 DC-DC Conversion
2.2.5.4 Buck booster working

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Chapter 01
1.1 Background of the project

Kinetic energy is a form of natural energy which exist in the nature. In day today life we can
see how the world is running with this form of energy. Focusing on automotive sector,
transportation is done through automobiles which is a full form of kinetic energy utility. But
unfortunately, the problem is that the loss of energy though different components and systems
used in automobiles. Though there are many methods we can use to reduce these energy losses
and get the efficiency close to our 100% efficient goal. Not only that, but also our primary duty
is to increase energy efficiency. One of this method is an integration of a Kinetic Energy
Recovery System (K.E.R.S.) to the vehicle. By implementing this method, we can harvest the
kinetic energy lost in braking, power generation and transmission. And use it to give an
additional boost of power when the driver starts to accelerate again after braking or when he/she
needs it.

1.2 Problem identification

With the advancement of the technology, the energy demand is very high where a single person
costs more money to achieve his/her daily tasks. Actually, Kinetic energy is everywhere in our
environment. But the question is, do we/can we harvest that exact amount of energy for our
energy consumption?

Most probably the answer will be “NO”. But fortunately, from the First Law of
Thermodynamics we can see that “The energy cannot be created nor destroyed”. So, it tells us
that the energy is transformed. So that the Kinetic energy is dissipated as heat and sound. As
the higher percentage of Kinetic energy is converted into Heat energy and lower percentage of
Kinetic energy is converted into Sound energy. So, the work done by that form of energy is
very less. But, if there is a system at least to recover that dissipated energy, the energy loss will
be less and it would be a healthy way to match with the energy demand of the world. So, the
problems which affects to build this system is as below.

• High energy demand and low usable energy.

• Energy loss/wastage through different components and systems of automobiles.

• High cost of advanced technologies and non-renewable energy sources.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

1.3 Aim and Objectives

Aim

❖ The main aim of this project is to increase energy efficiency and decrease the loss of
energy through recovering and transforming that energy into useful work or electricity.

Objectives

✓ Designing a model of a Kinetic Energy Recovery System using piezoelectric material.

✓ Testing the model by giving different values of braking forces.

✓ Diagnosing the electrical components of the system.

✓ Calculating the output voltage to charge a battery.

1.4 Scope and Limitations

Scope

• When braking is applied, the actuator which consists of a piezoelectric material will absorb
the braking force of the vehicle through engaging with the brake disk/drum.

• Piezoelectric material generates electric pulses proportionally to the brake force applied.

• The generated electric pulses move through a smoothing circuit because the battery needs a
constant flow of energy to charge the battery. (Smoothing circuit consists of capacitors and it
changes those pulses to a constant flow of energy.)

• Then the current flow will be amplified by a buck booster (DC-DC step-up) to match the
battery requirements of charging the battery.

• Then the battery will be charged in every time when the driver pushes the brakes.

Limitations

o In practical scenarios, the piezoelectric materials which can sustain a large amount of
heat is costly.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Chapter 02 Thermoelectric harvesting

2.1 Literature mapping

Pyroelectric harvesting
Natural ways of
harvesting electricity
Large scale energy harvesting

Loss of energy Systems where energy is

through automobiles wasted

Mechanical Energy Recovery

System
Kinetic Energy
Recovery System by Kinetic Energy
using piezoelectric Recovery Systems
material

Piezoelectric mechanism

Piezoelectric
materials
History and inventions of
piezoelectric materials

Harvesting electricity through

piezoelectric materials

Electric systems and

circuit diagrams Villard Cascade

Buck Booster

Buck converter

DC-DC conversion

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

2.2 Literature review

2.2.1 Natural ways of harvesting electricity

In our living environment, there is a plenty of natural energy sources around us. We can see
them and also we can feel them. But the problem is that the way of harvesting that free energy
with a high efficiency to meet our energy demand. Such natural energy sources are light and
heat energy from the sun, wind energy, wave energy, hydropower and geothermal energy.
These energy sources are useful in generating electricity where electricity acts a major role in
the modern world.

Electricity harvesting is a different technique which the free energy is utilized to achieve daily
tasks and it will decrease the energy wastage. Also energy waste in production or output process
as heat, light, vibration and sound. Due to harvesting techniques, that energy lost is harvested
and used to create self-sustaining technologies and increase efficiency rates. The primary target
for energy harvesting developer is to create a system that can be self-sustaining and improve
efficiency of conventional systems. They use few circular methods to harvesting energy from
lost energy and regenerate as electrical energy. It is because the electrical energy is the most
efficient and powerful energy type which can store and transmit for the required purpose.

2.2.1.1 Thermoelectric harvesting

By using dissimilar objects, it can create an electric voltage by means of the temperature
difference in those two objects. Vice versa thermocouple action. By keeping those two
materials at a relatively constant temperature an electric voltage is generated as a direct
conversion of temperature difference. This method can be used to develop some technologies
such as, (Enescu, 2019)

 Temperature powered phone charger: Developed by Epiphany Labs. The ‘one puck’
thermoelectric charger get advantage of thermoelectric harvesting to create self-
sustaining system. This equipment can work by placing a hot or cold item. This allows
you to charge your phone.
 Thermoelectric generator for cars and Lorries: Those types of vehicle waste large
amount of energy when it’s operation. These generators installed into cars and Lorries
for reuse some heat given from their operation. This helps to put less stress on the
engine and it can cause to increase efficiency level. And this generator reduced fuel
consumption by around five percent.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

2.2.1.2 Pyroelectric harvesting

A certain type of material ability to generating temporary electric voltage when heat/cool
condition is introduced. In this method, electricity harvesting from material by use of gaining
current from temperature change over time.

 Pyroelectric sensor: This harvesting system can be used in passive infrared (PIR)
sensors which get heat signals from approaching motion, likewise in outdoor lightning.
The pyroelectric element creates small voltage inside the sensor. That voltage
approaching heat signals emitted from the approaching person. It is enough to power
up the light.

2.2.1.3 Large scale energy harvesting

Wind energy, solar energy, Ocean wave energy are the main large scale energy which is
harvested from the environment. Sun delivers roughly 173 trillion kilo watt of energy in every
moment. Though it gives such a large amount of energy, our technology is not that much
accurate to harvest the total energy. Solar panel is the main technology for harvesting solar
energy. But it has only 15 – 20% of energy efficiency. Also the solar panel cost is very high,
so due to that only few people can have the ability of using this energy harvesting method.
When consider about kinetic energy harvesting, wave energy and wind energy is vey much
important.

Wave energy: Oceans are a major source of energy where 97% of water is from the oceans.
But not as fresh water, it contains a large amount of energy as the wind supply power to the
ocean wave formation. We can harvest wave energy with an efficiency of 40% to fulfill our
energy demand. The kinetic energy of the waves can be harvested through different structures
like barriers (damn structure), buoy structures, cylindrical floating structures and sinkers.

Wind energy: Wind is the main energy harvesting technology which use to operate wind
powered turbines and create large amount of electricity. The kinetic energy of the wind is
harvested by those wind turbines. The efficiency of a wind turbine is 59% (Betz Limit).
Practically 50% of wind’s kinetic energy can be harvested through an accurate wind turbine.
But the fact is that the wind turbines are not very suitable for road vehicles. Whereas the
efficiency of a wind turbine varies with different reasons like the height of the turbine, and
wingspan of the turbine etc…

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Piezoelectric harvesting: Harvesting electricity from Materials by using pressure. In this

method sources that receive pressure from such things as human motion, low frequency
vibrations or acoustic noise. Piezoelectric materials provide current is proportional to the input
vibration amplitude. The power output by the piezoelectric materials are not in a form which
is can used to load circuits such as micro controllers, radio etc. The voltage and current output
by the harvester needs to be conditioned and converted to a form usable by the load circuits.

 Battery less remote controls: These types of device used human force to generate
enough electric charge to power itself. It is using energy emitted through its own
functionality. So it is known as self-sustaining. (further discussion under the topic
piezoelectric materials)

2.2.2 Loss of energy through automobiles

2.2.2.1 Systems where energy is wasted

In the early days of automobile manufacturing in the 20 th century automobile manufactures

were more concerned in making their cars more powerful and making them stand out from
their competition. Because the internal combustion engine was a new technology at the time
manufactures were experimenting on new technologies to make it more powerful rather than
making it more efficient, this is why we see many old cars with big block (high capacity) V8’s
still only making around 150-250 horsepower. Making these engines more efficient became a
priority after the 70’s gas crisis started to effect many countries and the automobile sales
declined heavily. Automobile manufactures were now experimenting new designs to make the
internal combustion engines more efficient. The end result was cars coming out of the
manufacturing line with highly efficient engines than their predecessors by getting rid of the
old inefficient carburetor systems and implementing Electronic Fuel Injection systems to their
cars and adding turbochargers, automatic transmission systems and good aerodynamics to get
at least that small amount of efficiency. Since then cars are becoming more efficient by the day
with more new designs and technologies like cylinder deactivation, high compression ratios
and improved valve timing being implemented to them. Even after implementing all these new
technologies into modern cars these days only about 20% of the fuel we dump into the car is
converted to useful energy. In modern passenger cars about 33% of energy is wasted just to
overcome friction within the engine, transmission, tires and brakes.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

A modern car uses about 340L of fuel per year just to overcome the frictional forces it’s facing,
if we multiply that amount to calculate the global wastage of fuel, just to overcome friction its
about 208,000 million liters of fuel per year. (Kenneth Holmberg, Peter Andersson, Ali
Erdemir, 2012). These fossils fuels are also a non-renewable type of energy which means the
fuel will run out by time and it is estimated that petroleum will run out in about another 40-50
years (Ecotricity, n.d.), which means using internal combustion engines is a highly inefficient
method of transport. This brings us to think about our future energy source for transportation.

Though there are other types of energy sources for transport like hydrogen powered vehicles,
electric cars are now very popular method of transport because it’s easy to use and because of
its simplicity. Electric cars work by charging the batteries by plugging the car to a charging
spot and then the batteries provide the power to the motors which in turn drive the wheels. Here
the main drawback of using electric cars nowadays is the range. (it is limited) which means it
can only go up to a certain distance before recharging again. We can increase this range if we
make the car more efficient. Many of us think that an electric car is the most efficient method
of transportation, its only true to certain extend. Though electric cars are more efficient than
cars with internal combustion engines, there are still many areas an electric car can lose energy
like still we have to overcome those frictional forces (mentioned earlier), though the forces are
lesser than an internal combustion engine car because lesser internal components. As an
example; no transmission systems flywheels. Still there is a good amount of friction acting on
it. Plus about another 20% of the energy is lost in the electric drive system. Such as; motors
and power supply cables. 10% when charging, 4% in accessory losses. As an example; power
steering, cooling systems, control systems. And about 4% in auxiliary losses such as; lights,
navigation systems and entertainment systems. (fueleconomy.gov, n.d.).

Automobile manufactures have adopted varies different methods to compensate these energy
losses like having high pressure tires to reduce the tire contact area which in turn reduce the
friction between the tires and the road (many electric cars like the Tesla model S and the BMW
i3 have their optimum tire pressures around 40PSI and up), making the cars more aerodynamic
to reduce the drag ( Automobile manufactures like Honda have gone to lengths far as removing
the side mirrors and replacing them with a small cameras in the new Honda E to reduce the
drag, this has helped the car cut off 3.4% of the drag if it had typical side mirrors)
(https://www.youtube.com/, 2020).

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

These methods are still going to help increase the efficiency only by a small amount, one good
way of harnessing energy is by using a regenerative braking system. There are many types of
regenerative braking systems like electromagnetic, flywheel, etc… But still these systems have
their own inefficiencies, a typical regenerative system is about 60 - 70% efficient. A
regenerative braking system usually loses around 10 - 20% of the energy being captured and
then again the car loses another 10 – 20% of that energy when converting it to kinetic energy
for acceleration. We can make the regenerative braking system more efficient by placing piezo
electric tiles on the brake pads to harness more energy while braking. So far in this topic it’s
been shown the energy losses in vehicles that effects the vehicle in a negative way only, but
there is another type of energy loss which can describe as the energy that’s lost not creating a
negative effect to the efficiency of the car but by not being generated or being converted to a
useful form. For example if we take the suspension system, though we can’t feel much
vibrations when cruising through the highway at high speeds there are many small up and down
movements in a suspension system and when going through uneven roads there are heavy
movements so we can use the movements of the system to harness more energy to the battery
by using piezo electric materials. We can also consider tire rotations also as a energy loss like
above because we can use rotations of the tire to generate electricity by placing piezo electric
tiles on the inside walls of the tire.

2.2.3 Kinetic energy recovery systems

The globe has immensely benefitted with the advancement of technology and knowledge base
that has led to enormous socioeconomic progress and consequently raised the quality of living
of man on the far side comprehension. Among the many resources that have a serious half
within the growth, the role of fossil fuels has been undeniably quite vital. However the reserves
of those fuels area unit speedily declining and at the speed of growth of the man, the exhaustion
of those resources in close to future is inevitable. This has been the one amongst the major
causes of concern within the recent past. The opposite major concern within the gift day has
been declining state of atmosphere. In a world wherever the majority its fuel is being depleted,
conservation of natural resources has become a necessity in today’s world, particularly within
the field of renewable technology.

This drawback has been resolved with the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery System.
It's an approach to recover or restore the energy lost whereas braking system, transmission
systems, suspension systems. Regenerative braking could be a style of Kinetic Energy
Recovery System that has the ability to store and recover the lost energy.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

In recent years, hybrid electrical vehicles were developed so as to satisfy the demand of
reducing energy consumption, the increasing fuel costs and also the harm caused by fuel
emissions to the environment. Currently, the marketplace for hybrid vehicles is essentially
comprised of hybrid electrical vehicles. Partially or totally supercharged by electrical motors
that square measure provided electricity from rechargeable batteries.

Primarily employed in formula-1 cars for the aim of speed boosting. Braking purpose of a
vehicle is often wasted. But this energy is saved and effectively regenerated once the- brakes
are applied. The braking energy gets converted into heat that is wasted but during this situation
once the brakes are applied, the energy is passed to the motors that are mounted on the front
wheels. The motors at this stage act as a generator changing the mechanical energy to electrical
energy that is then passed to motors/flywheel. This motion energy be restored in the battery
and when needed, that energy is given to the motors then the wheels by providing the
mandatory boost in speed.

There are different types of forms in which the kinetic energy lost while braking can be stored.
They are,
 Mechanical KERS
 Electric KERS

Since kinetic energy is that the energy of movement, vehicles produce heaps of it. Capturing a
number of that kinetic energy for fuel productivity in a very hybrid automotive is somewhat
dubious, however regenerative braking is one good technique utilized by several automakers.
The automotive utilizes the energy place away within the battery to regulate the electrical
engine that drives the automotive at low speeds. Contingent upon the sort of hybrid, the
electrical engine will either work alone to maneuver the automotive or it will work operating
beside the car's gasoline-fueled engine. The braking system that once combined with eco
accommodating driving ways like moderate starts and slower vehicle rates is incredibly
important embody on the foremost fuel expert vehicles. Regenerative braking could seem to
be exceptionally hullo technical school, but the thought of having "energy-saving" in machines
is simply identical previous issue now.

2.2.3.1Mechanical Energy Recovery System

Energy recovering using a flywheel is another method. This principle can be successfully
implemented in a bicycle. A passive system like bicycle for serving the aim of reduction in
pedaling power by employing a regulator and a mechanism for engaging and disengaging
constant.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

In Kinetic Energy Recovery System bicycle, flywheel is employed to store and restore the
energy. Flywheel is mounted between frames of bicycle with aesthetic and applied science
concerns. It may be engaged with rear wheel with clutch mechanism. This mechanism consists
of clutch, free wheel and sprocket with correct gear magnitude relation for transmission.

Figure 1: KERS in bicycle

When the bicycle is descending a hill or with slow speed in holdup clutch is engaged with
flywheel to store energy and this energy is rebuilt once needed. Currently at a time once the
speed reduction is needed clutch is engaged and flywheel starts rotating storing energy in spite
of this pedaling power is small and potency of system is inflated. For analysis of system
overdrive take a look at administered and results are obtained so as to scale back pedaling
power. Vehicles with KERS will bridle a number of this motor vitality and in doing there in
capability will facilitate with braking. By a legitimate mechanism, this set away energy is
modified over back into mechanical energy giving the vehicle additional increase in power. A
flywheel will incidentally store the active vitality from the bicycle once the rider wants to
backpedal. The energy place away within the regulator is familiar with convey the wheeler
back up to cruising speed. On these lines the wheeler recuperates the energy unremarkably lost
amid braking. Additionally to inflated energy proficiency, the flywheel-prepared bike is a lot
of enjoyable to ride since the rider has the power to raise speed.

2.2.3.2 Advantage

 Low cost
 No need to battery or electric stunt
 Low implanted carbon content
 Low weight and small in size

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2.2.3.3 Disadvantage

 Developing this sort of KERS, have detailed that it is greatly hard to create, and won't
be very beneficial unless it is placed in the ideal position.
 Even it is an energy recovery system, it dissipates some amount of energy because of
the mechanical clutch.
 When ascending a hill, it is hard to paddle when the flywheel engages with the clutch.

Kinetic Energy Recovery System framework used as a section of the vehicles that satisfies the
motivation behind saving a section of the energy lost amid braking. Climate condition isn't
relevant for storing the energy, whether or not the temperature vary is high, this technique is
incredibly economical compared to the conventional braking system. Kinetic Energy Recovery
System framework features a wide extension for more advancement and therefore the energy
savings. The utilization of a lot of economical frameworks could lead on to large savings within
the economy of any nation. Here we have a tendency to square measure presuming that the
topic Kinetic Energy Recovery System got a good extension in building field to limit the energy
consumption. As currently on a daily basis, energy conservation is exceptionally necessary
issue. Here we have a tendency to existent Kinetic Energy Recovery System framework in a
very bike with a fascinating and disengaging grasp mechanism for gaining significantly a lot
of proficiency.

2.2.4 Piezoelectric materials

2.2.4.1 Piezoelectric mechanism

The displacement of ions in the crystal lattice of a piezoelectric material creates the polarization
as piezoelectricity. Positive and negative chargers in the material separate when a piezoelectric
material is placed under a force or stress, that material produces a polarization proportional to
the force applied on the material. (Only in asymmetric materials)

𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = (𝑝𝑖𝑒𝑧𝑜𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑐𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 ) × 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠

Force, stress, strain, squeeze, twist, push, pull, pressure, impact and all these terms are a result
of kinetic energy or mechanical energy. So kinetic energy has a direct connection with
piezoelectricity. “PIEZO” is a Greek word with a meaning of “Pushing”. So in general terms
“piezoelectric” is the electricity which generates by pushing a material. In day-today life people
use different components which is related to “piezoelectric effect” with conscious or maybe
not. Such as lighters, gas burners.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

But if a material can cause piezoelectric effect, it is definitely a piezoelectric material. These
piezoelectric materials have the ability of generating internal electrical charges/ pulses
proportional to the mechanical force/stress which is applied on the material. Such materials
are;

Crystals:
 Quartz; A stable form of crystal used in frequency reference crystals for radio
transmitters and watch crystals.)
 Sucrose; table sugar
 Rochelle salt; creates a high voltage with compression and used in early crystal
microphones.
 Topaz
 Tourmaline
 Berlinite (𝐴𝑙𝑃𝑂4 ); Rare Aluminum Phosphate mineral structurally identical to
quartz.
Certain ceramics:
 Barium titanate (𝐵𝑎𝑇𝑖𝑂3); first piezoelectric ceramic discovered.
 Lead titanate (𝑃𝑏𝑇𝑖𝑂3 )
 Lead zirconate titanate (PZT); most commonly used ceramic with high
efficiency.
 Potassium niobate (𝐾𝑁𝑏𝑂3 )
 Lithium niobate (𝐿𝑖𝑁𝑏𝑂3 )
 Sodium tungstate (𝑁𝑎2 𝑊𝑂4 )
 Bismuth ferrite (𝐵𝑖𝐹𝑒𝑂3 )
 Sodium niobate (𝑁𝑎𝑁𝑏𝑂3 )

Biological materials:

 DNA
 Enamel
 Silk
 Dentin
 Bone
 Collagen

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Polymers:

 Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF); Used in medical textiles also can create higher
piezoelectricity comparable to quartz.
(Walter Heywang, 2008)

2.2.4.2 History and inventions of piezoelectric materials

It’s a well known fact that the discovery of fire made a fluorescence in human history where
people used fire for cooking purpose, prevent from harmful animals and as a communication
method among people as well as with the gods. The primary methods of making a fire was by
rubbing flint, fire-steel or hard, glassy stone such as quartz, jasper and agate. This process is
the piezoelectric effect. So the piezoelectricity is not a new invention. But now, the method of
utilization is different from past. In 1880 Curie brothers, Pierre and Jacques first approved the
piezoelectric effect.

(Duck, 2009), (Uchino, 2010)Also made their subject wider by researching about crystalline
structures and pyroelectric materials which can generate electric charges in response to
different temperature changes. In the research about piezoelectric materials they showed that
Quartz and Rochelle salt (Sodium Potassium tartrate tetrahydrate) has the highest piezoelectric
effects. (Voigt, 1910) According to Woldemar Voigt’s Lehrbuch Der Kristallphysik they have
found 20 of such crystalline materials. In advance, piezoelectric materials were used in World
War I and II as an ultrasonic submarine detectors, cartridges of phonographs etc…

The approach towards piezoelectric materials were strongly increased with the understanding
of the connections between crystalline structures and electromechanical actions and the
improvement of the researchers. Rather than searching for the suitable applications with the
observed properties of materials, engineers were able to utilize piezoelectric materials for
specified devices and industrial applications. Such as super sensitive microphones,
loudspeakers, laser electronics, powerful sonar devices, sonobuoys, single cylinder piezo
ignition systems, diesel injection systems, transducers, motors, sensors and actuators.

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2.2.4.3 Harvesting electricity through piezoelectric materials

One early studied performed by Umeda et al (Mikio Umeda, 1997), investigated that the energy
storage characteristics of a system which harvest power consisting of a piezoelectric material
(PZT) with a full bridge rectifier and a capacitor.

Also discussed the efficiency of the storage circuit with the effect of various parameters and
implemented a prototype following their analytical investigation with an efficiency over 35%.
That percentage was three times more than a solar cell. So the report was included with a
feasibility study about harvesting energy from piezoelectric materials.

According to (Shrimoyee Poddar, 2017) footsteps applied to some materials when pressure of
that make up their structure is disturbed and a small electric voltage is created. These types of
kinetic floor tiles was used in Paris marathon in 2013, it is generate 4.7 kilo watt hour of
electricity. Also the proper selection of the piezoelectric material is a prime importance. The
criteria of selection was the voltage output of the material with the variable of pressure applied.
PZT and PVDF materials were used as the piezoelectric ceramic material. (This research is based
on a piezoelectric tile, and its source of pressure is the mass of a person or a vehicle. But when
application changes, the brake force of a vehicle is comparably very high.)

Figure 2: VI graph of PZT

So by using piezoelectric ceramic, the pressure applied on the piezoelectric ceramic converts
into electrical energy. But the output of the piezoelectric material is not a steady current. By
using a bridge circuit and an AC ripple filter, the variable current can be converted into a linear
current flow without any further fluctuations. Then the output DC voltage can be stored in a
rechargeable battery. Though the power output of a single and a small piece of piezo-material
is very low, it has to be connected in accordingly to harvest more electrical energy.

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 Parallel connectivity: Voltage output is low.

 Series connectivity: Voltage output increased but not in linear proportion.

So the implementation should be a combination of both series and parallel connectivity and the
output voltage was 40V with high current density.

Figure 3: VI graph of parallel and series combination

2.2.5 Electric Systems and Circuit diagrams

This is primarily a by-product of the complications that arise when connecting design
parameters to the output power. Such complexities have led to various concepts of perfect
design for specific applications, but no work has been done to understand the basic
fundamentals of technology. Here we present a method of determining the maximum power
output possible based on the limits of resonance and energy efficiency as well as the ultimate
strength of the piezoelectric element. The power limits of energy harvesters were first theorized
by considering a simple piezoelectric stock. Roundy pointed out that this would be the
maximum power output for bulk harvesting.

Pmax = k2 mA2
4C2w2
Where k is the coupling coil cents, m is the mass of the achievement, A is the magnitude of the
base acceleration, f is the mechanical wetting ratio and x is the natural frequency of the system.
This equation is a starting point for understanding the power available from a harvester and
giving an understanding of how acceleration or system natural frequency is expected to power
output. As Roundy rightly notes, bulk piezoelectric harvesters are not practical because of their
high resonance frequencies.

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In addition, this equation does not provide the detailed understanding required for cantilever
harvesters who typically operate in low-power and vibration-level environments. Furthermore,
this power model is proportional to the square of the acceleration magnitude.

When two metal plates are arranged in two sides of a piezoelectric material. Then plates vibrate
when a sound wave hits one or two plates. The stalk receives this vibration, which converts it
into a weak AC voltage. Therefore, an AC voltage arises between the two metal plates and has
a waveform similar to sound waves. On the other hand, if an AC signal is applied to the plates,
it will cause the stalk to vibrate parallel to the signal voltage. As a result, the metal sheets
vibrate and cause acoustic disturbances.

2.2.5.1 Villard Cascade

A voltage multiplier is an electrical circuit that normally converts a low voltage into a high DC
voltage using a network of capacitors and diodes. The voltage multiplier can be used to generate
several volts for electrical equipments. Objectives such as high energy physics experiments
and lightning protection tests. The most common type of voltage multiplier is the half-wave
series multiplier, also known as the Willard Falls.

Piezoelectric generators designed for harvesting vibration are usually based on mechanical
resonators, for example cantilever beams, which can effectively and efficiently transmit
circulating energy to the active substance. These structures display normal functional zones
near a resonant frequency. The piezoelectric element of the generator is the most suitable model
for devices such as piezoelectric tiles, which is a single-mode mechanical resonator that
connects to the electric circuit through the electromechanical properties. The mechanical
displacement of the generator base and the dynamic mass on the gravity, respectively, are a
Galilean reference. Dynamic massage activates its inertial action, a restorative force due to the
mechanical structure, a viscous force due to the damper, and a piezoelectric element. On the
mechanical side, the piezoelectric element is powered by its rigid voltage regulator. On the
electrical side, the piezoelectric internal current source is controlled by a relative mechanical-
velocity. The dynamic equilibrium of the system is the model for seismic generator, the
simplest particle element commonly reported in the literature. In some cases, the model
parameters can be analytically derived from piezoelectric material properties and thematic
processing characteristics. In general, however, the values of parameters can be predicted using
a finite elemental model, starting with several measurements of the experimental prototype
considered. Despite its simplicity, this model is in good agreement with the Knight Elemental
models and has the experimental features of such generators.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

Figure 4: Electrical diagram of a piezoelectric tile

2.2.5.2 Buck Booster Converter

Buck boost converter is a DC to DC converter and has a magnitude of output voltage. It can be
equal to or greater than the magnitude of the input voltage. The buck boost converter is similar
to the flight rear circuit and uses a single inductor instead of a transformer. There are two types
of buck converter. Buck converter and boost converter. These converters can produce an output
voltage range greater than the input voltage. The diagram below shows the basic buck boost
converter.

Figure 5: Buck Booster converter

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

2.2.5.3 DC-DC Conversion

The dynamic performance of a DC to DC converter is an unexpected variation of the input

impedance inductor current. If the switch is active, the inductor feeds the energy from the input
and stores the energy of the magnetic field. If the switch is closed, it discharges energy. The
output circuit of the capacitor is assumed to have a high time constant of an RC circuit at the
output stage. Make sure that the large time constant corresponds to the switching period and
that the constant is a constant output voltage, Vo (t) = Vo (constant), and at the load terminal.

2.2.5.4 Buck booster working

The diagram below shows the functionality of the clamp converter. The first transistor of the
buck converter is activated and the second transistor is deactivated due to the high square wave
frequency. If the gate terminal of the first transistor is greater than the current path through the
magnetic field, then C is charged and it is loaded. D1 is the Schottky diode which is deactivated
due to the positive voltage to the cathode.

Figure 6: Buck converter diagram

Inductor L is the starting source of the current. If the first transistor is deactivated using the
control unit, the current flow in the clamp operation. The magnetic field of the inductor is
broken and the back electromotive force (e.m.f) is generated as the breaking field revolves
around the polarity of the voltage across the inductor. The current flows in diodes D2, load and
diode D1 are activated. The discharge of the inductor L is reduced with the help of current. In
the first transistor, the capacitor charge in the capacitor is in one state. The current passes
through the load and keeps the Vout reasonable during off periods. So it keeps the minimum
ripple amplitude and closes to the value of Vout Vs.

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 Kinetic Energy Recovery System using Piezoelectric material

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