New microstructured power converters
S. Pobering, N. Schwesinger,
Munich University of Technology, DE
Keywords: power conversion, microstucture, flowing waters, design, efficency
We have focused our research to new principles of converting energy by means of microstructured components. It is possible to extend the usable water power recourses by converting the kinetic energy directly. This type of energy depends in a huge manner on the flow velocity and is continuously available in almost each flowing waters.
We have designed and modelled two types of power converters containing just elastically deformable parts. The first design is a fluttering flag made of the piezoelectric polymer material PVDF. Charges can be separated due to the fluttering of the foil The second design is a generator, which consists of a piezoelectric bimorph membrane connected to a paddle. Caused by the bending procedure, charges can be separated, too. In a micro power plant with usable power rating a lot of these small micro generators have to work in parallel. This power plant can be installed in a ship like vessel that is anchored in a flowing water whereby the water passes the power plant.
NSTI Nanotech 2003 Conference Technical Program Abstract