Original research paperCharging capacitors using single crystal PMN-PT and PZN-PT energy harvesters coupled with the SSHI circuit

- Systematic analysis of PMN-PT and PZN-PT energy harvesters for charging capacitors.
- Discussion of the effect of the SSHI technique on single crystal energy harvesters.
- Examination of the reverse coupling effect of electrical loads on mechanical vibrations.
- Analysis of the self-discharge effect of capacitors in energy harvesting systems.
- Assessment of a self-powered microcontroller system.

Piezoelectric energy harvesting technology is regarded as a remedy to the short-life battery issue in low-power electronic devices, and has been extensively studied in the past two decades. Although a variety of new structures and mechanisms have been proposed for piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs), there is not much progress made on the piezoelectric materials that play a determinant role in PEHs performance. Most energy harvesters are still constructed with lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Recently, the new-generation piezoelectric materials PMN-PT and PZN-PT single crystals are proposed and start to be used in transducers. Their electromechanical coupling factor (k33) is over 90%, and the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) can reach three times of that of PZT. This study characterizes the PMN-PT and PZN-PT single crystals used in energy harvesters, compared with the polycrystalline PZT, in terms of charging capacitors. Systematic discussions are presented on the voltage, power and energy responses, as well as the reverse coupling effect on the mechanical response and the self-discharge effect of capacitors. Furthermore, a self-powered synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI) circuit is constructed and tested with the new single-crystal based energy harvesters. Experiments indicate that PMN-PT and PZN-PT can significantly boost the charging capability of energy harvesters, and that performance can be further enhanced by the SSHI circuit.