Multi-functional Energy Harvester for Unmaned Aerial Vehicles

The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate the feasibility of producing a lightweight, flexible multifunctional energy harvester that can capture light, vibration, heat and electromagnetic energy simultaneously. This flexible energy harvester is transformable to different surface shapes and has high potential application in UAVs that are in critical need of secondary power sources to extend their flight time. The proposed system integrates photovoltaic layer (PV), electromagnetic layer, and piezoelectric / pyroelectric layer in one device. The PV layer on top absorbs the sunlight and converts photons into electrons. Attached to the PV layer is a magnetic layer, which harvests electromagnetic energy and converts it into mechanical strain through magnetostriction effect. The piezoelectric layer will utilize the mechanical vibration and heat from UAVs and military vehicles and the strain generated from magnetic layer and convert these kinetic energies into electricity.