@inproceedings{671e18ad504141418e29b2b852fb9228,
title = "Multiphysics modeling and design of Galfenol-based unimorph harvesters",
abstract = "Iron-gallium alloys, known as Galfenol, are a class of magnetostrictive materials that convert mechanical energy to magnetic energy and vice versa. Galfenol devices especially unimorph consisting of a Galfenol beam bonded to a passive substrate, have great potential in energy harvesting applications, but advanced multiphysics models are lacking for these smart devices. This study presents a comprehensive finite element model for Galfenol unimorph harvesters which incorporates magnetic, mechanical, and electrical dynamics. Experiments considering impulsive tip excitations under purely resistive or resistive-capacitive electrical loads are conducted to validate the proposed model. The energy conversion efficiency and peak power density of a unimorph beam with a natural frequency of 139.5 Hz are analyzed experimentally. The maximum energy conversion efficiency is 5.93% when a 74 Ω resistor and a 2 μF capacitor are connected in parallel to the pickup coil in parallel. The maximum power density observed in experiments is 10.72 mW/cm3 when load resistance is 74 Ω. This performance may be optimized in the future utilizing the proposed finite element model.",
keywords = "COMSOL Multiphysics, Energy harvester, Galfenol, Unimorph",
author = "Zhangxian Deng and Dapino, {Marcelo J.}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 SPIE.; 2015 SPIE Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies Conference ; Conference date: 09-03-2015 Through 10-03-2015",
year = "2015",
doi = "10.1117/12.2085550",
language = "English",
series = "Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering",
editor = "Griffin, {Steven F.} and Farinholt, {Kevin M.}",
booktitle = "Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2015",
}