Ultra-High Energy Density Piezoelectric Nanocomposites for Lightweight Power Harvesting Micro-Systems

The proposed research effort will develop a highly efficient MEMS energy harvesters that utilize a novel nanocomposite technology recently developed by HARP Engineering LLC. Unlike existing piezoelectric nanocomposites, the material proposed here has an electromechanical coupling coefficient higher than most monolithic piezoceramics typically used in MEMS processing. This nanocomposite technology will be further developed and will be used to create power harvesters that capitalize of the fracture toughness of the polymer matrix to offer robustness to damage for use in harsh battlefield conditions. The nanocomposite will also lead to resonators with significantly lower natural frequencies than silicon technologies, which will allow more efficient energy conversion at the frequencies typically available for harvesting. At the conclusion of the effort a micro-scale energy harvester will be produced to demonstrate the system performance. We will seek to commercialize all three technologies developed under this contract, namely the piezoelectric nanowires, the nanocomposites and the energy harvesters to maximize the commercial impact of the work.