Design and Analysis of Energy Harvesting with Shape Memory Alloy

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are metallic alloys made of Titanium & Nickel to retain a specific shape by undergoing a heating process. The shape memorization occurs via a temperature dependent phase transformation process between two crystal structures, austenite phase and martensite phase. Typical SMAs are thin wires and under the phase transformation they change shape. Specifically, under heat they shrink.This research exploits this property of SMAs to create motion which can be transformed into mechanical energy and in turn convert into electrical energy via generations and store energy in the certain device. The goal of the thesis is to construct a device that encompasses SMA's and a heat source (such as a wasted heat source from industries or from a machine) to generate periodic motions. Specifically, SMA is tied to a spring loaded shaft which expands its motion cyclically. We measured the change of temperature, position and voltage via a temperature sensor, a Hall Effect Sensor and oscilloscopes. The shaft was coupled to a motor which generates electricity. Electrical energy is stored in an energy storing device. For our analysis, this device is an ultra-capacitor. In addition, we investigated a theoretical approach along with simulations to calculate the total energy we could capture.The accomplishments reported in this thesis represent a significant development in using shape memory alloy phase transformation to convert and capture energy. It is anticipated that the results and methods in this work can be utilized in practical shape memory alloy technologies and energy harvesting for commercial applications.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Engineering

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Akron

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Li, Yinan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hariharan, S. I
• Engeberg, Erik

• Electrical Engineering
• SMA
• Energy harvesting

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1354872782

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:akron1354872782