Performance comparison of implantable piezoelectric energy harvesters

摘要

This paper presents experimental results that demonstrate energy generating performance of circular piezoelectric diaphragm harvesters for use in implantable medical devices. The piezoelectric energy generators are designed to transfer internal biomechanical forces into electrical energy that can be stored and used to power other in vivo devices. Such energy harvesters can eliminate complicated procedures for replacement of batteries in active implants by possibly increasing the longevity or capacity of batteries. Experimental results indicated that the PZT circular diaphragm harvesters generated enough power to meet requirements for specific implantable medical devices. It is also found that edge condition, thickness of bonding layer, and a degree of symmetry in fabrication for the unimorph circular diaphragms affect the energy generating performance significantly.