Alternative Methods of Wireless Sensor Power via Novel Piezoelectric Fiber Composites

Currently, wireless sensors have been used in variety of applications such as real-time data sharing, surveillance, in-vivo medical devices, condition-based monitoring, etc. that can revolutionize industrial efficiency, health monitoring, and data processing. Maximizing the use of wireless sensors onboard Navy ships will reduce the cost of maintenance and manpower. A state-of-the-art destroyer such as the DD(X), with its cutting edge sensors requires the use of heavy and limited lifespan batteries. To power such sensors, an alternative energy source to produce 10-100 mW continuous power is required. This proposal addresses that need via a novel approach to generate power from ACI's piezoelectric composites. Batteries are heavy with a limited life span, limited temperature range, and often replacing batteries in hard-to-reach locations, makes the use and inspection of wireless sensors much more difficult and perhaps impractical. Installation of power cabling can be expensive and time consuming and the wires add weight to the system. Piezoelectric materials, if devised properly, can convert up to 70 % of the otherwise wasted mechanical energy into electrical energy. Moreover, such a technology provides a low operating cost with little or no maintenance, high reliability, lower weight, and an efficient and permanent source of energy.