STTR Phase I: High Energy Density Piezoelectric Thin Films and Energy Harvesting Devices

This STTR Phase I project is to develop processes and optimized integrated structures based on the piezoelectric effect, and complemented by other traditional sources, to enable energy harvesting devices for self-powered sensors and devices. The team has recently developed a piezoelectric composition with the highest ever reported energy density for bulk piezoelectric ceramics. This project will seek to develop and optimize piezoelectric thin film processes using the newly discovered composition. Successful use of piezoelectrics for energy harvesting from vibration sources can provide a high efficiency and low maintenance power source, particularly at a small scale, for applications that are remote, inaccessible and in darkness.