Energy Materials for Sustainable Development: Energy Harvesting
Sponsored by: ACerS Energy Materials and Systems Division
Program Organizers: Armin Feldhoff, Leibniz University Hannover; Kyle Brinkman, Clemson University; Krista Carlson, University of Nevada, Reno; Eva Hemmer, University of Ottawa; Nikola Kanas, Institute Biosense, University of Novi Sad; Kjell Wiik, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Lei Zuo, Virginia Tech; Stephanie Lee, Stevens Institute of Technology; Muhammad Hajj, Stevens Institute of Technology; Mohammad Haik, Stevens Institute of Technology
Monday 8:00 AM
October 18, 2021
Room: A216
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Session Chair: Kyle Brinkmann, Clemson University; Krista Carlson, University of Nevada, Reno
8:00 AM Introductory Comments
8:20 AM Invited
Multi-modal Energy Harvesting-magnetic Field, Vibrations, Heat and Light: Shashank Priya1; 1Penn State
The synergy between the functional materials – free available environmental energy – low power electronics has provided the paradigm for design of “sustainable self-powered components and systems”. This paradigm is driving the emergence of energy efficient ubiquitous architectures that provide convenient deployment with long lifetime. There are significant advantages in terms of lifetime and functionality for the sustainable self-powered architectures as compared to traditional “grid-powered” or battery-powered devices. Examples illustrating these self-powered architectures will be provided covering solar, thermal, magnetic field, and vibration energy harvesting in applications ranging from Internet of Things (IoT) devices to portable power generator to distributed power sources. The presentation will emphasize advances made in synthesis of textured piezoelectrics, organo-halide perovskites, thermoelectrics and magnetoelectric composites. Novel synthesis techniques such as spark plasma sintering, dry/wet aerosol deposition, and laser annealing will be discussed. Brief discussion on design, modeling and testing procedures for energy harvesters will be provided.
8:50 AM Invited
Interfacial Properties in Composite Nano-systems for Energy Harvesting: Alberto Vomiero1; 1Lulea University of Technology
Composite nanostructures are efficient for Sunlight detection and conversion. In most systems, like photodetectors, excitonic solar cells and (photo)-electrochemical cells, nanomaterials can play a critical role in boosting photoconversion efficiency by ameliorating the processes of charge photogeneration, dissociation and transport. Critical role is played by the interface. Several strategies can be pursued to maximize energy harvesting and storage, including broadening of light absorbance, fastening exciton dissociation and charge injection. Some examples will be discussed, including all-oxide p-n nanowire photodetectors and solar cells, core-shell quantum dot fluorophores for high-efficiency luminescent solar concentrators, composite sulfides for hydrogen generation, and oriented carbon nanotube forest dispersed in polymer matrix as efficient low-temperature thermoelectric composite. Emphasis will be given to the role of interface engineering in improving the efficiency of energy conversion in different systems, spanning from electric power generation from Sunlight, to chemical fuel production, to conversion of heat lost through thermoelectric materials.
9:20 AM
Energy Harvesting Floor from Commercial Cellulosic Materials for Self-powered Wireless Transmission Sensor System: Long Gu1; 1University of Wisconsin-Madison
Driven by the rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) and its role in building smart buildings and cities, sub-floor sensors based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that are primarily composed of cellulosic materials have gained increasing attention due to the low-cost, sustainability, and abundance of such materials. In this work, we developed a high output performance of a commercial cellulosic material-based energy harvesting floor (CEHF). Benefiting from the significant difference in the triboelectric properties between weighing and nitrocellulose papers, high surface roughness achieved by a newly developed mechanical exfoliation method, and large overall contact area via a multilayered device structure, a wireless transmission sensing system is instantaneously powered by a TENG based entirely on cellulosic materials for the first time. This work provides a feasible and effective way to utilize eco-friendly cellulosic materials in constructing self-powered wireless transmission systems for future smart cities.
9:40 AM
Implanted Battery-free Direct-current Micro-power Supply from In Vivo Breath Energy Harvesting: Jun Li1; 1University of Wisconsin-Madison
In vivo biomechanical energy harvesting by implanted nanogenerators (i-NG) is promising for self-powered implantable medical devices (IMDs). Here, we developed an ultra-stretchable micro-grating i-NG system that could function as a battery-free DC micro-power supply. Packaged by a soft silicone-elastomer with a cavity design, the i-NG exhibited an ultralow Young’s modulus of ~45 kPa and a high biocompatibility to soft biological tissues. The i-NG was implanted inside the abdominal cavity of Sprague Dawley (SD) adult rats, and directly converted the slow diaphragm movement during normal respiration into a high-frequency alternative current (AC) electrical output, which were readily transmitted into a continuous ~2.2 V DC output after being integrated with a basic electrical circuit. A LED was constantly operated by the breath-driven i-NG without the aid of any battery component. This solely biomechanical energy-driven DC micro-power supply offers a promising solution for the development of self-powered IMDs
10:00 AM Break
10:20 AM
Cost-effective, Penetration/Corrosion-resistant Materials for the Containment of Earth-abundant Molten Chlorides for High-temperature Thermal Energy Storage for Concentrated Solar Power: Liangjuan Gao1; Elizabeth Laskowksi1; Saeed Bagherzadeh1; Mario Caccia1; Michael Bichnevicius2; Qingzi Zhu2; Mehdi Pishahang2; Robert Cullen3; Kenneth McGowan3; Asegun Henry3; Kenneth Sandhage1; 1Purdue University; 2Massachusetts Institute of Technology; 3Westmoreland Advanced Materials, Inc.
The cost of renewable electricity generated by Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants may be significantly reduced by operating CSP turbines with inlet temperatures at or above 750oC (instead of <550oC) which, in turn, requires the use of thermal energy storage at or above 750oC to allow for rapidly dispatchable and/or continuous electricity production. Earth-abundant molten chlorides, such as MgCl2-KCl-NaCl liquids, are being considered as cost-effective fluids for such high-temperature thermal energy storage. Large-scale, reliable containment of these molten chlorides requires cost-effective storage tanks with walls that are resistant to corrosion and penetration. Unfortunately, low-cost metal alloys have exhibited appreciable corrosion, and low-cost porous ceramics have exhibited appreciable molten chloride penetration, upon exposure to such liquids at 750oC. In this talk, cost-effective composite materials that are resistant to corrosion and penetration by molten chlorides at 750oC, and processes for generating pipe and tank liners comprised of such materials, will be discussed.
10:40 AM
Measurement of Density for Molten Fluoride Salt: Jaewoo Park1; Jinsuo Zhang1; 1Virginia Tech
Molten salt is one of promising materials present in nuclear energy applications as liquid fuel or coolant of Generation IV reactors and electrochemical processing of spent nuclear fuel. Since density is one of fundamental physical properties, the accurate measurement of density is in need for various studies about molten salt. In this study, calibration graphs showing relationship between volume and height of a fluoride salt sample were made and used to measure density at high temperature. The volume of samples at each temperature was calculated based on data from a previous study, and the height of samples were measured in this study. Samples with a LiF-NaF-KF (46.5-11.5-42.0 mol%) composition were used to draw the calibration graphs, and this methodology was verified with a LiF-ThF4 (80.0-20.0 mol%) salt mixture by comparing this study’s results with ideal mixture prediction and data from a previous study. The deviation was about 2% or lower.
11:00 AM
Evaluation Recyclable Materials to Manufacture Wind Turbines Blades H-Darrieus: Andres Olivera1; Edwin Chica1; Henry Colorado1; 1Universidad de Antioquia
Wind energy is one of the most important energy sources from today. However, the manufacturing has been generating pollution in the dismantling of the turbines wind power, since the thermoset materials of the blades as they are currently manufactured are not easily recyclable. That is why this research seeks to evaluate 4 types of thermoplastic materials (PLA, PLA with carbon fiber, PETG, PETG with carbon fiber) manufactured in a 3D printer, compared with mechanical, thermal and UV exposure tests. The material that meets the best conditions will be the one used to manufacture the blades of an H-Darrieus wind turbine on a laboratory scale. The power curve will be evaluated and it will be compared with a turbine manufactured with conventional materials (Epoxy and carbon fiber), analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of using thermoplastics instead of thermosets in the manufacture of blades for wind turbines.
11:20 AM
Microstructure Prediction of the Laser Additive Manufacturing of Silicon-iron Soft Magnet: Fukang Li1; Kan Sun1; Lei Zuo1; 1Virginia Tech
The distribution of equiaxed grains in soft magnets significantly affects their magnetic properties and performance, such as permeability, coercivity, and eddy current loss. Numerical simulation to simulate dendrite growth and the formation of equiaxed grains is an essential means to study the evolution of complicated microstructure. In this study, a coupled finite difference-cellular automata model was applied to simulate the microstructure evolution in the laser additive process of silicon steel soft magnet. It was observed that the solidified microstructure was composed of columnar and equiaxed grains, and columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) increase the distribution of equiaxed grains. The effects of temperature gradient and dendrites growth velocity on CET was investigated, and the results showed that the microstructure was prone to CET transition when the temperature gradient was decreased, or the dendrite growth velocity was increased.